HisroRr of the sociEtr. § 



The Jecond modification of this firft pofition, which may be 

 termed the nafal modification, is formed by opening the com- 

 munication or exit by the nofe, and fuffering the found or 

 breath to pafs that way. In this cafe the letter vi is founded. 



The Jecond pofition is formed by the application of the 

 under lip to the fore teeth of the upper jaw, which does not 

 form an abfolute interruption to the breath, but fuffers it to 

 pafs in an audible manner, by means of the ref train t with 

 which it is made to pafs. In this manner are produced the 

 letters / and v. 



The third pofition is formed by a fimilar application of the 

 tongue to the fore teeth, and a fimilar exprefTion of the breath ; 

 thus producing the two confonants and th. 



The fourth pofition is formed by the application of the point 

 or fore part of the tongue, to the root of the fame teeth, or fore 

 part of the palate. This forms a pofition that may be varioufly 

 modified, by means of the great volubility of this member 

 which is thus applied. 



In the firji of thefe modifications, the tongue is applied 

 clofely to the palate, fo as to form an abfolute interruption of 

 the breath, in a. fimilar manner to that of the nrfl pofition. It 

 may be therefore termed the mute modification of this pofition. 

 In this mute modification are formed the confonants t and d. 



In the Jecond modification, the tongue is not kept clofe fixed 

 to the palate, but fuffers the breath to be exprefTed in an audi- 

 ble manner, fimilar to thofe of the fecond and third pofirions. 

 This, then, may be termed the fibilating modification, by wroch 

 are exprefTed the J and z. 



In the third modification, the paffage of the breath between 

 the point of the tongue and the palate is opened, and that by 

 turns, in a quick or tremulous vibration. It may therefore be 

 termed the vibratory modification, by which the letter r is 

 formed. 



Vol. II. (B) In 



