Taylor.] dD4 [Oct. 21, 



We would therefore propose to select for our " Module '•' a 16-inch rule 

 instead of one of 15.672 inches, as suggested on page 338 ; all the tables as 

 before given would remain unchanged in regard to their divisions and pro- 

 portions, but of course the values would be slightly modified. 



The Table of Measures of Capacity, and Weights, on page 855, shows the 

 divisions and multiples of the "]\Iodius" based upon this 16 inch Jlodule, 

 with their equivalents in Apothecaries' or Wine measure, and in cubic 

 inches; also the divisions and multiples of the "Pondus," with their 

 corresponding Avoirdupois weights, and the connection between the 

 measures and weights. 



A great beauty resulting from the use of a cube number for a metrical 

 radix, with octaval divisions, is shown by this table. It will be observed 

 that the Modius and all of its multiples and divisions are perfect cubes ; 

 and each one has a precise linear standard for the side of its cube ; thus, 

 the Modius is the cube of the Module (or 16 inches); the Octa is tlie cube 

 of 4 digits (or 8 inches) ; the Quart is the cube of 2 digits (or 4 inches) ; 

 the Gill is the cube of 1 digit (or 2 inches); and so it is with every ascend- 

 ing or descending measure of capacity ; and the weight of the contents of 

 these measures gives us a precisely corresponding series of weights. 



To illustrate the contrasted awkwardness and complexity of a decimal 

 system of mea*sures, let the French "Litre" be selected. The Litre is the 

 cube of the decimetre. Ten litres make one dekalitre, and if we would 

 seek the cubic measure of this quantity, we shall find by a troublesome 

 process of extracting the cube root, that 2 decimetres, 1 centimetre, 5 

 millimetres, and a decimal fraction .44347, and so on interminably, will 

 give us an approximation to the length of the side, within an assignable 

 limit of error. In other words, although there certainly is a cubic vessel, 

 that shall contain exactly 10 litres, it is not within man's art of mensura- 

 tion to tell precisely what the size of that cube must be. If, on the other 

 hand, it were required to find the dimensions of a vessel holding exactly 

 8 litres, we know that a cube of 2 decimetres will give the measure with 

 absolute precision ; or, if on the descending scale, it were required to find 

 the size of a vessel holding exactly one-eighth of a litre, the cube of 5 

 centimetres gives us the perfect solution. 



By the simple device of using multiples of one, two, and four times the 

 size of such of these weights or measures as may be desirable, the use' of 

 fractions is entirely avoided, and a perfect system of weights and measures 

 is supplied, by which any conceivable amount can be easily and accurately 

 weighed or measured. Another beauty in our system is that it gives a 

 maximum range of expression with the minimum number of pieces. 



Of the weights in our table, those in ordinary use by the pharmacist, 

 jeweler, etc., would be the mite, the carat, the scrap, the semy, and the 

 unce. Weights of once, twice, and four times the quantity of each of 

 these, or in all 15 weiglits, would enable us to weigh any possible quan- 

 tity of mites, from one (which is less than half a grain) to 16170 grains ; 

 that is to say, we could weigh 32760 different quantities ; these 15 weights 



