528 



EXPERIMENTS OK WHALE-UIL. [M'I: X° VII, 



From tliese'specific gra\Tities, the following weights of whale- 

 oil, at different temperatures, are derived ; and it may be ob- 

 served, that the weights, as calculated from the approximate 

 specific gravities, in no instance differ above the tenth of a 

 dram (less than 3 grains troy) in a gallon, from the weights 

 derived more immediately from experiment. 



Now, if we compare these results with the usual allowance 

 of 7 J lb. of oil to the gallon, or 1890 lb. to the ton, we shall 

 find that at temperatui'e 60^ there is a difference of 5f gallons 

 in the ton. 



On some future occasion, perhaps, I may publish tables of 

 the weight of any number of gallons of oil from 1 to 300, at 

 different temperatures, by means of which the contents of 

 casks (the neat weight of the oil being known) will be given 

 by inspection. 



Were the plan of selling oil by weight, instead of measure, 

 adopted, it would greatly facilitate the calculations, by em- 

 ploying decimal weights. And were the largest weight made 

 use of 100 lb. there would be no danger of confounding it 

 with any weights at present in use. All the variety necessary 

 would be weights of 100 lb. 50 lb. 30 lb. 20 lb. 10 lb. 5 lb. 

 3 lb. 2 lb. 1 lb., and decimals of a pound if required. 



