o were otherwise of quick and rational parts enough,) could not, as
we do, by any means count to 1000; nor had any distinct idea of that
number, though they could reckon very well to 20. Because their language
being scanty, and accommodated only to the few necessaries of a needy,
simple life, unacquainted either with trade or mathematics, had no words
in it to stand for 1000; so that when they were discoursed with of those
greater numbers, they would show the hairs of their head, to express
a great multitude, which they could not number; which inability, I
suppose, proceeded from their want of names. The Tououpinambos had no
names for numbers above 5; any number beyond that they made out by
showing their fingers, and the fingers of others who were present. And I
doubt not but we ourselves might distinctly number in words a great deal
further than we usually do, would we find out but some fit denominations
to signify them by; whereas, in the way we take now to name them, by
millions of millions of millions, &c., it is hard to go beyond eighteen,
or at most, four and twenty, decimal progressions, without confusion.
But to show how much distinct names conduce to our well reckoning, or
having useful ideas of numbers, let us see all these following figures
in one continued line, as the marks of one number: v. g.

Nonillions. 857324

Octillions. 162486

Septillions. 345896

Sextillions. 437918

Quintrillions. 423147

Quartrillions. 248106

Trillions. 235421

Billions. 261734

Millions. 368149

Units. 623137

The ordinary way of naming this number in English, will be the often
repeating of millions, of millions, of millions, of millions, of
millions, of millions, of millions, of millions, (which is the
denomination of the second six figures). In which way, it will be very
hard to have any distinguishing notions of this number. But whether,
by giving every six figures a new and orderly denomination, these, and
perhaps a great many more figures in progression, might not easily be
counted distinctly, and ideas of them both got more easily to ourselves,
and more plainly signified to others, I leave it to be considered. This
I mention only to show how necessary distinct names are to numbering,
without pretending to introduce new ones of my invention.

7. Why Children number not earlier.

Thus children, either for want of names to mark the several progressions
of numbers, or not having yet the faculty to collect