quickness of their vibrations.

III. STRUCTURE OF THE ALPHABET.

_Mute and antesonant Consonants, and nasal Liquids._

P. If the lips be pressed close together and some air be condensed in
the mouth behind them, on opening the lips the mute consonant P begins
a syllable; if the lips be closed suddenly during the passage of a
current of air through them, the air becomes condensed in the mouth
behind them, and the mute consonant P terminates a syllable.

B. If in the above situation of the lips a sound is previously
produced in the mouth, which may be termed orisonance, the semisonant
consonant B is produced, which like the letter P above described may
begin or terminate a syllable.

M. In the above situation of the lips, if a sound is produced through
the nostrils, which sound is termed narisonance, the nasal letter M is
formed; the sound of which may be lengthened in pronunciation like
those of the vowels.

T. If the point of the tongue be applied to the forepart of the
palate, at the roots of the upper teeth, and some air condensed in the
mouth behind, on withdrawing the tongue downwards the mute consonant T
is formed; which may begin or terminate a syllable.

D. If the tongue be placed as above described, and a sound be
previously produced in the mouth, the semisonant consonant D is
formed, which may begin or terminate a syllable.

N. If in the above situation of the tongue and palate a sound be
produced through the nostrils, the nasal letter N is formed, the sound
of which may be elongated like those of the vowels.

K. If the point of the tongue be retracted, and applied to the middle
part of the palate; and some air condensed in the mouth behind; on
withdrawing the tongue downwards the mute consonant K is produced,
which may begin or terminate a syllable.

Ga. If in the above situation of the tongue and palate a sound be
previously produced in the mouth behind, the semisonant consonant G is
formed, as pronounced in the word go, and may begin or terminate a
syllable.

NG. If in the above situation of the tongue and palate a sound be
produced through the nostrils; the nasal letter ng is produced, as in
king and throng; which is the french n, the sound of which may be
elongated like a vowel; and should have an appropriated character, as
thus _v_.

Three of these letters, P, T, K, are stops to the stream of vocal air,
and are called mutes by grammarians; three, B, D, Ga, are preceded by
a little oriso