What is "tonal system"

n. the system of tones used in a particular language or dialect of a tone language [syn: tone system]

The Tonal system is a base 16 system of notation (predating hexadecimal), arithmetic, and metrology proposed in 1859 by John W. Nystrom. In addition to new weights and measures, his proposal included a new calendar with sixteen months, a new system of coinage, and a clock with sixteen major divisions of the day (called tims). Nystrom advocated his system thus: