io8 PROPOSED SYSTEM. 



To which set of ten the piece number belongs depends upon 

 the number of the corresponding component; and this, as ex- 

 plained in the next remark, upon its place in the order of com- 

 bination with other components to form the corresponding 

 member. This establishes a common principle by which sub- 

 stantially the same notation might be determined by independent 

 notators working on the same staple. 



2. The union of any component to the principal component of 

 the member to which it belongs is represented by adding 100 to 

 the number of the former component. Thus, A. 120 means that 

 A. 20 has been assembled to A. 10, etc. 



This assumes in the order of assembling a certain sequence by 

 which a number over 100 represents the combination of all the 

 parts above it on the list. For otherwise the number of imper- 

 fect combinations represented would exceed the limits of sim- 

 plicity. If such cases occur, they may be met by qualifying the 

 symbolical statement by ordinary language, thus, " S-F-R-S. 170, 

 without band springs," etc. See page 120. 



The separate enumeration of each of the pieces or components 

 in the combination would not answer the purpose, for we would 

 lose the sense of fitness for joint action given by a joint symbol. 

 For example, any one asking for a watch would be disappointed 

 in getting only its loose components, the efficient working of 

 which would depend more or less upon the manner in which they 

 would be assembled. The tendency of modern machine work 

 is to disintegrate the unity of " components " by increasing the 

 interchangeability of their " pieces." 



3. It will be readily seen that when the Shop-Order number is 

 sufficiently descriptive, only the member symbol will be required. 

 This limits the full symbol name to use in marking tools, pat- 

 terns, drawings, etc., and for defining staple objects worked on 

 under standing shop-orders. 



4. Only so many symbols are given as are needed to identify 

 the part. Thus, for receivers, breech-blocks, locks, band-springs, 

 etc., which are common to both rifle and carbine, the descriptive 

 initials R. and C. may be omitted. So with tools and append- 

 ages which belong to all arms alike, and with parts like barrels 



