It is not uncommon with some persons to omit the _s_ after the apostrophe in the possessive case of nouns, if the name itself ends in _s_; as, “_James’_ book,” “_Barnes’_ Notes.” But this is incorrect; for if we ask, Whose book? we should directly answer, _James’s_. The only case when the _s_ can be judiciously omitted, and this solely to avoid the too hissing sound of so many _s_’s in succession, is when the first word ends with the sound of _s_ in its last two syllables, and the next word begins with _s_; as in _Misses’_ spectacles, _righteousness’_ sake, _conscience’_ sake. _Formation of the Plurals of Words compounded of a Noun and an Adjective._ Adjectives have no plural number. Therefore, in a word compounded of a noun and an adjective, the _s_ denoting the plural number is attached to the end of the noun, as follows:— Governor-general Governors-general. Attorney-general Attorneys-general. Court-martial Courts-martial. But where the adjective is taken substantively, the mark of the plural will properly follow it. For example: _Brigadier-generals_, _major-generals_, _lieutenant-generals_. Words compounded of a noun and the adjective _full_ form their plurals thus: _spoonfuls_, _cupfuls_, _bucketfuls_, _handfuls_, _mouthfuls_. _Pointing of Numbers, Weights, Measures, &c._ No comma should be placed between the constituent parts of the same number, however long it may be. Thus, we say, “One million one hundred thousand five hundred and twenty-one,” without any interpunction. The reason is, that there is no more than _one_ numerical aggregate intended, or but _one_ complex notion; and, consequently, no separation of parts or members can take place. The same reasoning holds good as respects _values_, _weights_, &c. For instance, when we say, “Six dollars and ten cents,” we merely mean that aggregate amount, but not necessarily any one of the coins indicated. If we did so intend, then two commas should be introduced,—one after “dollars,” and the other after “cents.” In like manner we should act with such sentences as, “Five tons three hundredweight two quarters and fifteen pounds;” or, “Ten acres four roods and twenty-seven perches;” and for the same reason: no division of parts is intended, but merely one aggregate amount. When figures are used to express amounts, a comma should not be inserted to cut off the tens unless the sum requires five figures: _e.g._ $10,600, 20,000 men, &c. In column matter this rule will not apply. _Derivation of English Words._