NOTE.-One pound sterling is equal to $4.443, exchange value. By this weight are weighed gold, silver, and jewels. = NOTE."The original of all weights used in England was a grain or corn of wheat, gathered out of the middle of the ear; and, being well dried, 32 of them were to make one pennyweight, 20 pennyweights one ounce, and 12 ounces one pound. But in later times, it was thought sufficient to divide the same pennyweight into 24 equal parts, still called grains, being the least weight now in common use; and from hence the rest are computed." Apothecaries mix their medicines by this weight; but buy and sell by Avoirdupois. The pound and ounce of this weight are the same as in Troy Weight. By this weight are weighed almost every kind of goods, and all metals except gold and silver. By a late law of Massachusetts, the cwt. contains 100 lbs. instead of 112 lbs. A ton is reckoned at the custom-houses of the United States at 2240 lbs. NOTE. -This measure is applied to all goods that are not liquid and are sold by measure, as corn, fruit, salt, coals, &c. A Winchester Bushel is 18 inches in diameter, and 8 inches deep. The standard Gallon Dry Measure contains 2683 cubic inches. NOTE.-By a law of Massachusetts, the Barrel for cider and beer shall contain 32 gallons, but in some other States it is of different capacity. The Ale Gallon contains 282 cubic or solid inches. NOTE. - The Wine Gallon contains 231 cubic inches. Water, wine, and spirits are measured and sold by this measure. A cubic foot of distilled water weighs 1000 ounces Avoirdupois. The English Imperial Gallon contains 277 cubic inches, and weighs 10 lb. Avoirdupois, or 12 lb. 1 oz. 16 dwt. 16gr. Troy. There is no legal measure in the United States for tierce, hogshead, puncheon, pipe, or butt. = • 10080 = 168 2419200 = 40320 = 672 = 28 31557600 525960 = = 8766 = 3651 || || NOTE. The true solar year is the time measured from the sun's leaving either equinox or solstice, to its return to the same again. A periodical year is the time in which the earth revolves round the sun, and is 365 d. 6 h. 9 m. 14 sec., and is often called the Sidereal year. The civil year is that which is in common use among the different nations of the world, and contains 365 days for three years in succession, but every fourth year contains 366 days. When any year can be divided by four, without any remainder, it is leap year, and has 366 days. The days in each month are as follows: January, March, May, July, August, October, and December have 31 days each; April, June, September, and November have 30 days each; February has 28 days, excepting leap year, when it has 29. 12 Signs, or 360 Degrees, the whole great circle of the zodiac. |