S. Porter on the Vowel Elements in Speech. 171 
differing in degree as more or less open or close. These differ- 
ences are effected, in the palato-lingual passage, by approximat- 
ing more or less to the palate the part of the tongue at the 
place of the articulation, especially at the front viens of the 
passage; the passage may at the same time be narrowed more 
or less, as more or Jess of the margin of the enone. is put into 
contact with the borders of the palate. The labials will need 
no other or further criterion; for, in their case, the more or less 
sae of the lips will correspond to that between tongue and 
palate 
The scheme does not contemplate a precise admeasurement of 
vce and close as between vowels of different groups; it requires 
h comparison; it deviates from other systems in this, es- 
agkliy, that it assigns to different places, and thus ranges under 
separate Se vowels which Mob een commonly viewed as 
differing merely in degree of openne 
e degree of openness as between Biante and palate is not 
pd to be distinguished from the greater or less opening of the 
s, but it is to be noted that the two do not always coincide, 
ina. especially, that the close labials (awe, owe, ooze, &c.,) involve 
a wider separation of the jaws than the corresponding open and 
non-labial vowels (nor, not, fully, &c.). A decided labial. modifi- 
cation requires, absolutely, a considerable opening of the jaws, 
that the stretched cheeks may wall the passage. 
A glance at the diagram and the table a few pages forward, 
will give the reader a more definite general idea of the scheme. 
rip ae LAltemiat ns points require attention before proceeding with 
the details. 
i. as to the number of vowels capable of being produced, there 
is no certain limit in nature. The variations in degree of open- 
___ Ness are obviously infinite; the variations as the terminus o the 
4 re or les 
we can do is to mark certain points, as if by lines € jacitedé and 
longitude, and make no account of intermediate gradations any 
further than to refer them to the nearest of these points. 
for the number to be recognized in a system, much will depend 
on the special purpose in view. My object obviously uires 
scheme both éoapretienei ve and minute,—and will exact minute- : 
ness of orthoépical detail in the way of illustration. 
eee vary greatly in the number of vowels pee em- 
