Latest.
Laetema (laet-ema), Latest.
Nidhema (nidh-ema), Nethermost (neth-er-m-ost).
Forma (for-ma), Foremost (fore-m-ost).
Aeftema (aft-ema), Aftermost (aft-er-m-ost).
Ufema (uf-ema), Upmost (up-m-ost).
Hindema (hind-ema), Hindmost (hind-m-ost).
Midema (mid-ema), Midmost (mid-m-ost).

Now the words in question show at once, that, as far as they are concerned,
the m that appears in the last syllable of each has nothing to do with the
word _most_.

From the words in question there was formed, in Anglo-Saxon, a regular
superlative form in the usual manner; viz., by the addition of -st; as
_aefte-m-est_, _fyr-m-est_, _laete-m-est_, _sidh-m-est_, _yfe-m-est_,
_ute-m-est_, _inne-m-est_.

Hence, in the present English, the different parts of the syllable _most_
(in words like _upmost_) come from different quarters. The m is the m in
the Anglo-Saxon words _innema_, &c.; whilst the -st is the common sign of
the superlative. Hence, in separating such words as _midmost_ into its
component parts, we should write

Mid-m-ost _not_ mid-most.
Ut-m-ost -- ut-most.
Up-m-ost -- up-most.
Fore-m-ost -- fore-most.
In-m-ost -- in-most.
Hind-m-ost -- hind-most.
Out-m-ost -- out-most.

s. 260. In certain words, however, the syllable _m-ost_ is added to a word
already ending in -er; that is, already marked with the sign of the
comparative degree.

Neth-er-m-ost. Hind-er-m-ost.
Utt-er-m-ost. Out-er-m-ost.
Upp-er-m-ost. Inn-er-m-ost.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XII.

THE CARDINAL NUMBERS.

s. 261. Generally speaking, the greater part of the cardinal numbers are
undeclined. As far as _number_ goes, this is necessary.

_One_ is naturally and exclusively _singular_.

_Two_ is naturally _dual_.

The rest are naturally and exclusively _plural_.

As to the inflection of gender and case, there is no reason why all the
numerals should not be as fully inflected as the Latin _unus, una, unum_,
_unius_. It is a mere habit of our language that they are not so in
English.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XIII.

THE ORDINAL NUMBERS.

s. 262. By referring to s. 259, we see that -m was an early sign of the
superlative degree. This bears upon the numerals _seven_, _nine_, and
_ten_.

These are _cardinal_ numbers. Nevertheless, the present chapter is the
proper