In the preparation of this paper, the alphabet was considered to be of prime importance. Concerning it, the author says: "After devoting much time to the consideration of the subject, and the examination of many alphabets devised by scholars and linguists, none was found against which there was not serious objections, and the author attempted to devise an alphabet which would contain all the supposed requirements; but there were many difficulties in the way, and many compromises to be made in weighing the various considerations. At this stage of the work he applied to the eminent philologist, Prof. W.D. Whitney, for assistance. After much consultation and the weighing of the many considerations arising from the large amount of manuscript material in the author's hands, Professor Whitney kindly prepared the following paper on the alphabet."
The words, phrases, and sentences to be collected are arranged in schedules, each preceded by instructions, and followed by blanks for additions, as follows:
III. Relationships: Relationships arising from the first and second generations, 58 words. Relationships arising from the third generation, 224 words. Relationships arising from the fourth generation, 24 words. Names of children in order of birth, 26 words.
X. Implements and utensils, 36 words. Basket-ware, 15 words. Woodenware, 7 words. Utensils of shell, horn, bone, &c., 5 words. Stone implements, 13 words. Pottery, &c., 11 words.
XIII. Animals: Mammals, 91 words. Parts of the body, &c., of mammals, 36 words. Birds, 192 words. Parts of the body, &c., of birds, 26 words. Fish, 12 words. Parts of the body, &c., of fish, 12 words. Reptiles, 6 words. Insects, 11 words.
XIV. Trees, shrubs, fruits, &c., 8 words.
XV. The firmament, meteorologic and other physical phenomena and objects, 41 words.
XIX. Numerals: Cardinal numbers, 58 words (1-1000). Ordinal numbers, 30 words. Numeral adverbs denoting repetition of action, 23 words. Multiplicatives, 22 words. Distributives, 23 words.
XXIV. Phrases and sentences, 545 phrases, &c.
This paper was prepared with special reference to the wants of the collector, being printed on bond paper and bound in flexible cloth. It was widely distributed and, like that of Mr. Gibbs, resulted in the collection of valuable linguistic material.