--- In Nostratica@yahoogroups.com, "H.M. Hubey" <hubeyh@...> wrote:

> changes p>t>k and p>b>m could have taken place and
> could have taken place long time ago. This seems like a
> Nostratic matter. In the CVC syllable the two C's
> changed independently.
>
> ...............H E R M E S
> ...............M E R C U R Y

First of all, a sound change p>t>k is extremely rare, if it ever
happens at all. The other change is more likely, but I still dobut
it. Second, the proper Latin word is Mercurius. So, I think your
analysis is very flawed.

- Rob