FOREIGN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. The weights and measures of GREAT BRITAIN are the same as those of the United States, excepting the variations which are noted in the tables of 'Weights and Measures,' page 27. The weights and measures of FRANCE being more nicely adjusted than those of any other country, will be here given the more fully on that account. It is, however, to be observed, that these weights and measures are according to a new system, not yet in very common use. The fundamental standard adopted in France for the metrical system of weights and measures, is a quadrant of the meridian; that is to say, the distance from the equator to the north pole. This quadrant is divided into ten millions of equal parts, and one of these equal parts is called the METRE, which is adopted as the unit of length, and from which by decimal multiplication and division all other measures are derived. In order to express the decimal proportions, the following vocabulary of names has been adopted. It the word Deci prefixed, expresses the 10th part. 66 Centi 66 66 100th part. 1000th part. may assist the memory to observe that the terms for multiplying are Greek, and those for dividing, Latin. Thus, Deca-metre means 10 Metres. Deci-metre 66 the 10th part of a Metre. Hecto-metre "" 100 Metres. Centi-metre " the 100th part of a Metre; &c. FRENCH LONG MEASURE. The Metre, which is the unit of long measure, is equal to 39.371 English inches. 10 milli-metres 10 centi-metres 10 deci-metres 10 deca-metres 10 chilo-metres =1 centi-metre, FRENCH SQUARE MEASURE. The Are, which is a square deca-metre (or 100 square Metres), is the unit of square or superficial measure, and is equal to 3.953 English square rods. 10 milliares 10 centiares 10 deciares =1 centiare; 1 hectare; = 1 chilare; = 1 myriare. FRENCH MEASURES OF CAPACITY. The Litre, which is the cube of a decimetre, is the unit of all liquid measures, and of all other measures of capacity. The Litre is equal to 61.028 English cubic inches. FRENCH SOLID MEASURE. The Stere, which is a cube of the metre, is the unit of solid measure, that is used for fire-wood, stone, &c. The Stere is equal to 35.31714 English cubic feet; it is the same as the chilolitre in measures of capacity. The Gramme, which is the weight of a cubic centimetre of distilled water of the temperature of melting ice, is the unit of all weights. The Gramme is equal to 15.434 grains Troy. A milligramme is 1000th part of a gramme, A decagramme is 10 grammes, = Grains Troy 0.0154 = 0.1543 = 1.5434 = 15.4340 154.3400 1543.4000 = 15434.0000 154340.0000 All the preceding French weights and measures are deduced from some decimal proportion of the metre. Thus the chilogramme corresponds with the contents of a cubic vessel of pure water at the lowest temperature, the side of which vessel is the tenth part of the metre (the decimetre), and the gramme answers to the like contents of a cubic vessel, the side of which is the hundredth part of the metre (the centimetre); for the contents of all cubic vessels are to each other in the triplicate ratio of their sides. The kann, (both dry and liquid)=1593 cubic in. U. S. 100 kanns 100 kanns 100 lb. of RUSSIA 400 lb. make 1 berquit The Russian foot 69.09 galls. wine, U. S. 7.42 bushels, U. S. 90.26 lb. avoirdupois. =361.04 lb. avoirdupois. =36.1054 lb. avoir's. = 5.952 bushels, U. S. 3.246 gallons, U. S. =1 inch, U. S. =13.75 inches, U. S. 28 inches, U. S. =7 feet, U. S. =3500 feet, U. S. |