Taylor.] ^SO [Oct. 21, 



would take the place of the following 19 weights, which are now used to 

 accomplish nearly an equivalent purpose, viz : | gra;in, 1, 2, 3, 4, H, 6, 10, 

 20, 30, 40, 60, 120, and 240 grains troy together with avoirdupois weights 

 of 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 ounces. These 19 weights make a total of 14104 grains, 

 and would consequently be sufficient to weigh any number of half 

 grains from 1 to 282u8. 



Upon examiuation of the above table, it will be seen that the viite is 

 very nearly equal to half a grain, the did'erence being xotVoo- ^^ about 

 3;igth of a grain ; two mites being about y\th less than one grain ; one 

 carat is very nearly equal to 4 grains, being about 2^ grain less. One 

 scrap is about 1^ grains more than the half drachm. One semy is 34 

 grains more than half an ounce avoirdupois, or 12J grains more than half 

 an ounce troy ; while four utices are equal to 18^ ounces avoirdupois nearly. 



Of tlie fluid measures the Ugule is equal to half a fluid-drachm and 3.2 

 minims ; two Ufjules being 6.4 minims more than a fluid-draclim, or the 

 medicinal teaspoon ful ; the cup is equal to 4 flaid-ounces and 3:^ fluid- 

 drachms ; 4 gills are equal to 1 pint and If fluid-ounces, and the new 

 quart is equal to two pints and 3^ fluid-ounces. 



The smaller of these weights and measures assimilate so nearly with our 

 present divisions, that for most practical purposes in medicine, pharmacy, 

 etc., the difference would be inappreciable. It is true that all the valuable 

 knowledge that clusters about the grain weight, in statistics of all kind, 

 would have to be recalculated in the new weights, but as has before been 

 stated this is a necessary consequence of any alteration in our unit. 



If instead of retaining our linear unit, the inch, we had selected the 

 grain weight, all of our weights would have been in even grains, while 

 our measures would have been fractional quantities ; in this case, instead 

 of taking the inch, we would take the length of one side of a cube of 

 water weighing at its greatest density 256 grains ; such a cube would vary 

 very slightly from a cubic inch ; its side would measure 1.004334 inches ; 

 sixteen times this length would give us a "Module" equal to 16.069344 

 inches, and our " Fondus" would weigh 149 lbs., 12 oz. and 336 grains ; 

 our "scrap" would be exactly 32 grains, our "carat" exactly 4 grains, 

 and our "mite" exactly half a grain. 



It is believed that the scheme here proposed, independently of its merits, 

 would less disturb our present system of weights and measures than any 

 that has yet been proposed, and would be, therefore, more easilj'' intro- 

 duced and willingly accepted. 



And has not the time arrived in the general progress of commercial and 

 international intercourse, and the rapid advance of our country in science, 

 wealth and power, when her voice should be heard in an important mat- 

 ter like this ! Should not our Congress invite all nations to appoint suit- 

 able persons to be their representatives in a universal convention to be as- 

 sembled for the purpose of devising and establishing a system of uniform 

 weights and measures, practically applicable to the need and use of all 

 peoples of the earth ? 



