re examples of
their method of indicating certain numbers between one hundred and one
thousand:

[93] [Numerals] for 174
[94] [Numerals] for 191
[95] [Numerals] for 269
[96] [Numerals] for 252
[97] [Numerals] for 400
[98] [Numerals] for 356

{27}

To these may be added the following numerals below one hundred, similar to
those in the table:

[Numerals][99] for 90
[Numerals][100] for 70

We have thus far spoken of the Kharo[s.][t.]h[=i] and Br[=a]hm[=i]
numerals, and it remains to mention the third type, the word and letter
forms. These are, however, so closely connected with the perfecting of the
system by the invention of the zero that they are more appropriately
considered in the next chapter, particularly as they have little relation
to the problem of the origin of the forms known as the Arabic.

Having now examined types of the early forms it is appropriate to turn our
attention to the question of their origin. As to the first three there is
no question. The [1 vertical stroke] or [1 horizontal stroke] is simply one
stroke, or one stick laid down by the computer. The [2 vertical strokes] or
[2 horizontal strokes] represents two strokes or two sticks, and so for the
[3 vertical strokes] and [3 horizontal strokes]. From some primitive [2
vertical strokes] came the two of Egypt, of Rome, of early Greece, and of
various other civilizations. It appears in the three Egyptian numeral
systems in the following forms:

Hieroglyphic [2 vertical strokes]
Hieratic [Hieratic 2]
Demotic [Demotic 2]

The last of these is merely a cursive form as in the Arabic [Arabic 2],
which becomes our 2 if tipped through a right angle. From some primitive [2
horizontal strokes] came the Chinese {28} symbol, which is practically
identical with the symbols found commonly in India from 150 B.C. to 700
A.D. In the cursive form it becomes [2 horizontal strokes joined], and this
was frequently used for two in Germany until the 18th century. It finally
went into the modern form 2, and the [3 horizontal strokes] in the same way
became our 3.

There is, however, considerable ground for interesting speculation with
respect to these first three numerals. The earliest Hindu forms were
perpendicular. In the N[=a]n[=a] Gh[=a]t inscriptions they are vertical.
But long before either the A['s]oka or the N[=a]n[=a] Gh[=a]t inscriptions
the Chinese were using the horizontal forms for the first three numerals,
b