1861.] 317 [Consonants. 



can possibly be pronounced when the mouth is disposed for their 

 pronunciation, while the consonants may be denominated particular 

 sounds ; because, in the same places where one consonant is formed, 

 others also may be articulated. For instance, the semi-vowel m, and 

 the consonant j!?, are both formed in the region of the lips ; the for- 

 mer by throwing back the sonorous air from the lips, and discharging 

 it through the nose ; and the latter, by forcing the breath through 

 the closed aperture of the lips. Now, in throwing back the air from 

 the lips and discharging it through the nose, it is impossible to ob- 

 tain any other sound than that of the semi-vowel m, but in suflPering 

 the air to escape through the lips by relaxing or increasing the pres- 

 sure and modifying the breath, we get the various consonants p, b, 

 f, and V, and the vowel-consonant u\ Such is also the case with the 

 remaining semi-vowels and consonants. Lastly, an additional proof 

 of the organic difference between the consonants and semi-vowels is 

 derived from the function which the latter fulfil in the composition 

 of words ; for there, as we shall see hereafter (Chapter IX), they 

 serve as mediums through which most of the consonantal combina- 

 tions with the vowels are effected. 



For the reasons here stated at large, I propose to separate the semi- 

 vowels entirely from the consonants, and to treat each as a separate 

 element of speech. 



CHAPTER Y. 



ON THE CONSONANTS. 



§ 10. In the cavity of the mouth there are three different stations 

 assigned to the articulation of the consonants. Each of these stations 

 consists of a gate which may be opened or shut at pleasure. The 

 Jirst or outer gate is closed by pressing the lips together, or pressing 

 the lower lip against the upper teeth ; the second or middle gate by 

 pressing the tip of the tongue against the hard palate, the upper 

 gums, or the upper teeth j and the third or inmost gate by pressing 

 the middle of the tongue against the hard and soft palates in the 

 posterior part of the mouth. The consonants which are formed in 

 the first station are usually called labials, those in the second station 

 dentals, and those in the third station gutturals. 



[Rem. — The greatest diversity prevails among the phonologists with 

 regard to the number of stations for the articulation of the consonants ; 



VOL. VIII. — 2r 



