Section III, 1891. [ 19 ] Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada. 



IV. — Nomenclature in Time-rechonmg . — (1) The Unit of Time ; {2) The Hour 

 Meridians ; [o) Notation of the Hours. 



By Sandford Fleming, C.M.G., M.Iust.C.E., F.a.S., LL,D., etc. 



(Read May 27, 1891.) 



(1) The Unit of Time. 



At the meeting of last year I had the honour to bring to the attention of the society 

 the question of nomenclature in the matter of the reform in reckoning time, and the sub- 

 ject was referred for consideration to a special committee. On the report of the committee 

 being made to the section, it was submitted to a general meeting, and the society resolved 

 that the attention of sister societies and scientists in other parts of the world should be 

 directed to the subject. 



In compliance with the resolution passed at the general meeting, the council opened 

 correspondence with societies and men of learning towards obtaining a designation for 

 the unit measure of time, w'ith the hope that some term might be found to meet general 

 acceptance. 



As a result the following compound words have been proposed : 



1. Chronocanon (the time standard). 



2. Chronomonad (the time unit). 



3. Cosmochron (the world time). 



4. Cosmoguome (the world dial or style). 



5. Heliomonad (the sun unit). 



6. Metremer (the measuring day). 



•7. Metrochron (the measuring time). 



8. Monochrou (the unit of time). 



9. Nomochrou (the law or standard of time). 

 10. Pautochron (universal time). 



There has been a general desire evinced for a short word, even if it contains but one 

 verbal element of the idea to be expressed. It has been submitted that a word of this 

 character, properly selected, would more speedily obtain general acceptance as signifying 

 the time-measure or unit common to the world. Two words, " Heliod " and " Chron," 

 have been suggested. The first, derived from helioa (the sun), is by some held to be suf- 

 ficiently self-interpreting, and not farther removed from classical usage than many other 



