for the set of mathematical points indicated. This system is really completely independent of the area system and is connected with it merely for the purpose of facilitating the memory processes. The word “ene” is pronounced like “eny,” with just sufficient attention to the final vowel to distinguish it from the word “en.”
Now, connecting the numbers 0, 1, 2 with the sequence e, a, i, and also with the sequence n, t, l, we have a set of points named as with numbers in a co-ordinate system. Thus “ene” is (0, 0) “ate” is (1, 1) “ite” is (2, 1). To pass to the area system the rule is that the name of the square is formed from the name of its point nearest to the origin by dropping the final e.
By using a notation analogous to the decimal system a larger field of points can be named. It remains to assign a letter sequence to the numbers from positive 0 to positive 9, and from negative 0 to negative 9, to obtain a system which can be used to denote both the usual co-ordinate system of mapping and a system of named squares. The names denoting the points all end with e. Those that denote squares end with a consonant.
There are many considerations which must be attended to in extending the sequences to be used, such as uniqueness in the meaning of the words formed, ease of pronunciation, avoidance of awkward combinations.
I drop “s” altogether from the consonant series and short “u” from the vowel series. It is convenient to have unsignificant letters at disposal. A double consonant like “st” for instance can be referred to without giving it a local significance by calling it “ust.” I increase the number of vowels by considering a sound like “ra” to be a vowel, using, that is, the letter “r” as forming a compound vowel.
The series is as follows:—
| Consonants. | ||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| positive | n | t | l | p | f | sh | k | ch | nt | st |
| negative | z | d | th | b | v | m | g | j | nd | sp |
| Vowels. | ||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| positive | e | a | i | ee | ae | ai | ar | ra | ri | ree |
| negative | er | o | oo | io | oe | iu | or | ro | roo | rio |
Pronunciation.—e as in men; a as in man; i as in in; ee as in between; ae as ay in may; ai as i in mine; ar as in art; er as ear in earth; o as in on; oo as oo in soon; io as in clarion; oe as oa in oat; iu pronounced like yew.
To name a point such as (23, 41) it is considered as (3, 1) on from (20, 40) and is called “ifeete.” It is the initial point of the square ifeet of the area system.