308 
REMARKS ON THE NAME OF LITAKUN, 
1 July, 
explained, (according to the information of my interpreter,) that this 
town takes its name from the stone cattle -pounds, which, in the sin- 
gular number, are called Takoon, and in the plural Litdkun ; the 
syllable li being the prefix used for marking that number, in noufis 
inanimate, in the same manner as ma is generally employed for 
nouns animate. 
It is much to be regretted that an orthography, given at random 
and established without rule, should often be the means of introducing 
a false pronunciation. When such names have gained currency, 
which they the more readily do, as few persons in Europe can detect 
their inaccuracy, it becomes difficult afterwards to interrupt bad 
habits, and substitute a more correct orthography and pronunciation. 
These remarks, which I make with reluctance, are applicable to 
too many names which have already appeared in print ; and as it 
would seem invidious here to point them out, I leave them to be 
discovered by a comparison with the map or the journal ; at the same 
time, without its being pretended that either of these are infallible. It 
is freely admitted that such names cannot be obtained correctly without 
much trouble and repeated questions, nor without great attention, 
as the natives themselves sometimes substitute one letter for another, 
and even remove the accent from one syllable to another; but 
there is reason for believing that these are, for the most part, not 
arbitrary variations, and that they depend, either on euphony, or on 
the grammatical peculiarities of the language. It is conceived to be 
an indispensable part of a traveller's duty, when making known the 
names and words of an oral language, to mark at least the accented 
syllable, for the use of those who can have no other means of becoming 
acquainted with it. This could be attended with no trouble, but 
would, on the other hand, be of the greatest utility. It is, however, 
too often neglected. 
Having since had occasion to observe that every person who 
has visited that country, writes the names of this language in a 
manner peculiar to himself, (among whom Lichten stein appears to' 
be the most correct,) and some in a self-contradictory manner, I 
cannot but with diffidence venture to adopt a mode which in so many 
