A HANDBOOK

OF

PRACTICAL GAUGING,

FOR THE

USE OF BEGINNERS,

WITH INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MODE OF ASCERTAINING
THE STRENGTHS OF SPIRITS BY MEANS OF

SIKES'S HYDROMETER,

AND AN EXPLANATION OF THE THEORY OF ITS
ACTION;

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A CHAPTER ON DISTILLATION,

DESCRIBING THE PROCESS IN OPERATION AT THE
CUSTOM HOUSE FOR ASCERTAINING THE

STRENGTHS OF WINES.

ILLUSTRATED WITH DIAGRAMS.

BY JAMES B. KEENE,

OF H. M. CUSTOMS.

LONDON: F. PITMAN, 20, PATERNOSTER ROW,
AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.

•BODI

HANDBOOK OF PRACTICAL GAUGING.

GAUGING is that branch of Practical Geometry which treats of the Mensuration or Measurement of Vessels intended to contain Liquids, in order to ascertain the quantity they are capable of holding when filled, and the quantity they actually contain when partially full. The former is technically called "the Content," the latter "the Ullage."

The mode of calculation depends on the figure of the vessel and the unit of measurement employed.

In ordinary mensuration, the unit of comparison is the yard, its multiples, or sub-multiples, as inch, foot, &c. In Gauging, the imperial gallon is the unit, which, although in no way derived from the yard or any of its divisions, yet bears a certain fixed relation thereto, and can be at pleasure resolved into those dimensions.

It is possible to acquire the practice of Gauging (reduced as it is in many respects to an almost mechanical operation) without any knowledge of the principles on which it is based. Yet, doubtless, an intelligent acquaintance, even though