190 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



occupied the same space, viz., that of 5 to 4, or 7200 grains to 57GO grains, 

 no other peculiar name for it has come down to our times. 



" But there was, from the earliest ages, a different pound from the Troy 

 pound made use of, by which the merchant bought his goods; and his profit 

 was obtained by selling them again at the same price in a less pound. This 

 pound was called the merchant's pound. Its ounce was the same as the 

 Troy ounce of 480 grains, but, instead of 12, it contained 15 ounces. Fleta 

 says, 'quindecim uncicefacfunt Hbram mercatoriam,' ' 15 ounces make the mer- 

 chant's pound.' It was equal, therefore, to 7200 grains Troy; but its object 

 was not to represent the comparative weight of wine and wheat, or water 

 and wheat, but to give an advantage equal to 20 per cent, or one-fifth, to 

 the merchant or wholesale buyer, in making his purchases. He sold his 

 goods at the same price per pound at which he bought them, the increment 

 of 3 ounces in 15, or 20 per cent, being his profit. Further advantages were 

 also given him; as when 112 and 120 pounds were in some cases reckoned 

 to the 100 pounds, on his taking a large quantity. Thus the merchant's 

 pound was a sort of rough wholesale pound, in which small amounts were 

 disregarded, these being designed to be given to the merchant; and hence it 

 was that the Avoirdupois pound, when it was established, took no cognizance 

 of any weight below a scruple. In goods not weighed but counted, a larger 

 number was allowed the merchant at the retail price of the smaller number." 



Even the term Troy-weight is, according to Mr. Taylor, derived from the 

 coffer, being a corruption of Trough-weight. 



With regard to the second question investigated by Mr. Taylor, When was 

 the pyramid built? our limited space forbids further notice. 



