VOL. XL.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. llfi 



in this alphabet, the same character often denotes a different sound, according 

 to the diversity of its place and attitude between the two parallels. Thus a 

 straight stroke, standing perpendicular to the parallel lines, signifies i, f, d 

 and s. For when it joins these parallels, it signifies i; when it rests on the 

 lower parallel, it signifies f ; on the upper, s ; and d when it touches neither 

 of them. The small wedge leaning to the right, and placed near the upper 

 parallel, denotes l ; in the middle, n ; and o, near the lower. A line de- 

 scending from the upper parallel, and making a curve downward to the left, 

 stands for k; the same placed contrarywise, from the lower parallel upward, 

 expresses r : and so of the rest. 



The intention of the first inventor of these letters, seems to have been, to 

 form all the characters of small wedges, straight and crooked lines, and two 

 points, variously placed between the two parallels. For the wedges may be 

 placed 1 5 different ways, as represented in fig. 2. 



The straight line may also have 15 different situations, as in fig. 3. * 



The crooked lines can likewise be varied 14 different ways, as in fig. 4. 



Lastly, the two points admit of 12 variations, as in fig. 5. . » 



But as the ancient Sueo-Gothi had but l6 letters in their alphabet, they 

 did not want all these variations of the wedges, lines, and points : therefore 

 they employed 6 variations of the wedges ; of the straight lines, 5 ; of the 

 crooked, 3 ; and but 2 of the points. 



If we now suppose these Helsingic characters to be older than the common 

 Runics, the greatest part of the common Runics can easily be derived from the 

 Helsingics, by adding a perpendicular line to the small wedges and curves ; as 

 appears by fig. 6. 



But if we suppose the common Runics to be older, and to be derived, as it 

 is very probable, from the ancient Greek and Roman letters ; we must, in the 

 contrary way, deduce the Helsingic characters from the common Runics, by 

 subtracting the perpendicular line. 



As a specimen, fig. 7 represents a stone found at Malstad ; of which 

 M. Celsius took an exact copy in the jear 1725, in company with his uncle, 

 the Rev. Dr. Olave Celsius, of whom he expected a complete account of all 

 these Helsingic inscriptions. — On the outward limb or border, is what is re- 

 presented in fig. 8 — In the first curvature, as in fig. Q. — In the second snake 

 or dragon, as in fig. 10. — In the inner limb, as in fig. IJ. — In the second cur- 

 vature, as in fig. 12. — In the first snake, as in fig. 13. — In the heads of the 

 snakes, as in fig. 14. 



The inscription of the figures is thus rendered into English : — 



Frument erected this itone to Fisiulfi the son of Brisi : but Brisi was the son 



a 2 



