Tafel.] 315 [October. 



the mouth is altered, the vocal breath is allowed to pass through it. 

 Thus an indefinite number of intermediate vowel-sounds are produced 

 between the first and second members of the diphthong, merging into 

 one another. At last, even the very initial and final vowel-sounds of 

 the diphthong may be rendered indistinct, so that nothing remains 

 except the transition from one of the vowels into another. Of the 

 diphthongs formed in the second manner, we can very easily get an idea 

 by pronouncing slowly the words mild and loud. (Jacohi, Beitrage, 

 page 42.)] 



CHAPTER IV. 



ON THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE SEMI-VOWELS AND 

 CONSONANTS. 



§ 9. The semi-vowels and consonants are the exact antithesis of 

 the vowels. The vowels, as has been mentioned above, are the ani- 

 mating principle of words, and the semi-vowels and consonants their 

 formative principle. The modulation of the vowels is commenced 

 in the pharynx, and continued in the cavity of the mouth ; but the 

 articulation of the semi-vowels and consonants is efi'ected in the ca- 

 vity of the mouth alone, and the pharynx has no share in their for- 

 mation. 



In addition to the general arguments advanced above in favor of 

 separating the semi-vowels and consonants, I now submit the follow- 

 ing to the judgment of the reader. 



The semi-vowels and consonants together constitute the formative 

 element of words, but physiology as well as etymology prove them 

 to be distinct classes of sounds. The difference between the two 

 consists in all the semi-vowels being pronounced with sonorous breath, 

 while the generality of consonants is formed of mute breath; also 

 the semi-vowels occupying an independent position with regard to 

 each other, and generally retaining their individual nature in passing 

 from one language into another, while the consonants arc divided into 

 three classes, according to the region of the mouth in which they are 

 articulated ; and the members of each of these classes are found re- 

 gularly to interchange with each other in the Arian languages, in 

 being transplanted from an older into a more modern language. 

 Moreover, the semi-voiceh may, with propriety, be called general 

 soundsj because they cannot be modified, i. c, because no other sound 



