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27.

(2) complimantary, that is, one positive and one negative.  In each case the two queries were carried on opposite sides, and arranged symmetrically.  The following example serves to show ^[[(Plate VI-IX)]]

1. 33--34, both were carried out positively, to determine the number of cattles to be used in sacrifice.

2.  The complimentary groups are much more abundant:  9-10 to die or not to die; 29--30, to obey or not to obey; 20--21, to order or not to order; 22--23, to use or not to use etc.  The positive and the negative queries do not always appeare on the same side, whether there is some significance to be attached to this is not yet ascertainable.

In the treble querying class, the statement was put (1), positively; (2) negatively; (3) the choice of the subsequent procedure after the first two divinations.  Here is an example:  1-2-3 to use a particular form of sacrificial performance (1), or not(2); to use an ox in that particular way of sacrificial performance (3).

The following interesting example may serve to show the quadruple querying class:  40-41-42-43 to sacrifice to Chu-i (40), to use cattles (41), to use thirty cattles (42), to use 15 cattle (43).

In the simple querying, one side is usually left empty, in order to maintain the symmetry.

The above principle show that in one plate, two,three or four units of inscriptions may refer to one single event; and to this extent these units of inscriptions may be said to be related to each other.  It may be said also to be the earliest of the diary style and the prototype of state archiv.

There is another aspect of this problem that can be made out from these inscribed plastrons.  The relative dates are all given to every individual unit of these records; it has been possible