If a pattern is very simple--consisting, for example, of almost parallel lines--it may be denoted by the letter =A= alone. There are such patterns, and they seem to be somewhat commoner among certain of the negro tribes. I have mentioned in a previous chapter such a pattern on the toe of a lady, and they are typical almost in some monkeys. =E= When we find in the interior of some loop, bow, or other pattern, a group of not less than three short detached lines, or dots, this is to be indicated by the use of =E= with the ruling consonant, as _te, re, me_, and so on. =I= stands for a simple detached line, or not more than two parallel lines, in the heart of an encircling pattern. =O= stands for a little oval or circle, or for a round or oval-shaped dot in a core. If the circle, oval, etc. is _large_, extending over a width occupied by two lineations, then it is treated as a consonantal form. [See also =Q=.] =U= indicates a fork with two or more prongs within a core, forking towards the bend of bow, loop, mountain, etc. A single prong or spur standing out like a twig is to be distinguished from a fork. =Y= is for a similar fork as described above, but turning its two or more prongs away from the concavity of its enclosing loop, bow, etc. Besides the direct combination of simple vowels and consonants, which arrangement by itself gives great variety to the index registers, an immense number of syllables are formed by combinations of two or more consonants, while some few of the vowels are treated as long or short where the pattern needs further discrimination; as, for example:-- _bra_, _spo_, _art_, _prīd_, _prĭd_, _nut_, _nūt_. By this method the most extensive register is gripped _and needs no other index than its own essential structure_. If the sheets or cards are kept in their proper sequence, and it would require to be the duty of some one--not necessarily an expert--to see that the alphabetic syllables were kept in serial order, there should be no difficulty in finding the document sought for, if it is there at all. In translating fresh finger-prints into syllabic form, one has to catch the ideal design, so to speak, in the pattern. The consonantal skeleton, in one of its duplicate forms, is then examined for its containing vowel, and the syllable is complete. The work can be done with amazing rapidity after one is familiar with the patterns, which soon appeal direct to the eye as the type does in a printed book. Let us now look at a few examples tabulated to show how the system works in detail. [Illustration: VOWELS AND CONSONANTS IN SYLLABIC CLASSIFICATION with typical specimens of figure elements.] CHAPTER VIII PRACTICAL RESULTS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF DACTYLOGRAPHY