Page:The Origin of the Bengali Script.djvu/125

Rh vertical straight line to the right, which is joined to the main body of the letter by a slanting straight line.

(b) It is of course to be found in the Cambridge Manuscripts where we find the wedge transformed into a top stroke.'

In later periods the triangle, in the left limb, opens at the top, and finally a curve is added to the top of the open side. The right limb decreases in length and mounts upwards.

8. Ṛi is very seldom found. We find it in the Cambridge Manuscripts, where it is formed by adding a short curve to the foot of the short Ṛ. In later times the addition which denotes the length of the vowel becomes angular.

9. L is to be found in the Cambridge Manuscripts only where it is a reversed S.

10. Li is also to be found in the Cambridge Manuscripts where the length is denoted by the addition of a curve placed below.

The very rare occurrence of L and Li makes it impossible to trace the later changes in their forms.

11. In E the Bengali form was developed long ago and this was continued without change:

(a) In the Māndā inscription in eva (L. 7).

(b) In the Kamauli grant.

(c) In the Madanapāḍa grant of Viśvarūpasena, in etasmat (L. 4).