ROMAN WEIGHTS FOUND AT MEI.ANDRA. 173 



No. ,8. J're.sent weight, 1882.08 grains; 

 ancient weight (i«.-''tz= .) 



cy. ,■ ■' '■■ ••• 378 grains. 



Stipend mm, 3 gold aurei (,26 x ^ =) ,.« o-.v 



The sa.e weight .nay .e shown e,ua.t;^36i.pe^,C:. 



I ':r-"t^" °' ^'^ '''^^^" ^'- «^^'"^ =) 5^.63 grains 



X -^6 - ^'894 grants. It is aLso the largest of three weights 



•n multiple progression, Nos. 8, ,., and r8, corresponding in 



we.ght to r8, 36, and xo8 scrrpnla ; 6, r.,. and 36 JnJ^ or 



drachncr; and 2h, 5, and 15 ««r,, respectively. 



The .lenotation of the marks upon Nos. ,0, , r, and t, (one 

 two, and three punch-marks re.spectivelv) is still a matter of 

 conjecture, since the unit of weight is in each case .lifferent 

 and does not correspond to any ordinary denomination 



The foregoing suggestions as to the uses of these weights are 

 submitted tentatively, and they are probably incomplete, but 

 the subject seems to be worthy of further research and enquiry 

 That like needs give rise to like contrivances or survivals- in 

 widely distant ages and locahties is well seen in the resemblance 

 of our own principal coinage-pounds, shillings, and pence-in 

 ^^^e, weight, and material to those of the Romans; and their 

 names also are recalled by the abbreviations, £ s d for 

 libra, sohdus, and datorim, at the head of our accounts 



