+----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | No. of different index-headings. | | Digits. | No. of |------------------------------------| | | digits. | All | _i_ and _o_ | No slope. | | | | slopes. | fore-finger. | | |-----------------------|---------|---------|--------------|-----------| | Fore and middle of | | | | | | right hand | 2 | 11 | 8 | 7 | | | | | | | | Fore, middle and ring | | | | | | of right hand | 3 | 23 | 16 | 14 | | | | | | | | Fore, middle and ring | | | | | | of both hands | 6 | 65 | 50 | 45 | | | | | | | | All ten digits | 10 | 83 | 76 | 73 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ The trouble of printing, reading off, and indexing the ten digits, is practically twice that of dealing with the six fingers; namely, three on each of the hands; the thumb being inconvenient to print from, and having to be printed separately, even for a dabbed impression, while the fingers of either hand can be dabbed down simultaneously. For a large collection the ten digit method is certainly the best, as it breaks up the big battalions; also in case of one or more fingers having been injured, it gives reserve material to work upon. * * * * *