The principal object of this paper was to exhibit the manner in which, in the early stages of the history of language, the adjective may be supposed to have originated from the noun. Before stating his views of this subject, the author dwelt at some length on the universal principle which influences the formation of all languages, according to which man, when he has once acquired a small stock of words, will have recourse to all manner of expedients to save himself the invention of new terms; and an instance was given in the various applications of the derivatives and compounds of the Latin word Calx.