3120 



WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 



A decimetre, as its name implies, is the tenth part of a metre. In like manner 

 a centimetre is the hundredth part, and a millimetre is the thousandth part, of. a 

 metre. 



A square formed upon a line of ten metres is the unit of superficial or land measure ; 

 and a cube which has a decimetre (or one-tenth of a metre) for its measuring line, is 

 called a litre the unit of capacity. Each of these is increased or diminished by mul- 

 tiples or submultiples of ten ; but for the convenience of those who prefer halves and 

 quarters to tenths, each may be, and often is, divided in this manner, though all arith- 

 metical calculations are performed decimally. The fundamental unit of weight is the 

 kilogramme, which is the weight of a litre of distilled water, at its greatest density, 

 which is a little above the freezing-point. The thousandth part of a kilogramme is 

 called a gramme. 



To recapitulate : 



The multiples of the metre are the became tre= 10 metres. 



hectometre = 100 metres. 



Mometre = 1000 metres. 



wyn'ametre= 10,000 metres. 



The submultiples of the metre are the decimetre = the 10th part of a metre. 

 centimetre = the 1 00th part of a metre. 



millimetre = the 1000th part of a metre. 



The unit of surface is the are, which is the square of 10 metres on a side, or 100 

 superficial metres. The usual multiples and submultiples are the k?ct-&TQ, a. square 

 of 100 metres on a side, and the centi-are, the metre superficial. These terms are 

 employed in the sale of land, and in agricultural discussions. 



The unit of weight is the gramme, which is the equivalent of a cube of distilled 

 water, at the zero of the Centigrade scale (32 of Fahrenheit), measuring a centimetre 

 every way. The multiples are : 



The Decagramme 

 Hectogramme 

 Kilogramme . 



The submultiples are : 



The Decigramme 

 ,, Centigramme 



= 10 grammes. 

 = 100 grammes. 

 = 1000 grammes. 



= the 10th part of a gramme. 



= the 100th part of a gramme. 



&c. &c. 



A thousand kilogrammes will form a cube measuring a metre on every side, and it 

 is made the legal ton for heavy weights. 



The unit of capacity is the litre, which is the equivalent of a cube measuring one- 

 tenth part of a metro every way. The multiples are the decalitre, the hectolitre, tho 

 kilolitre, and the submultiples, the decilitre, the centilitre, &c. The litre is usually 

 employed in expressing tho quantities of liquids. A thousand litres of water are 

 equal to a metre cube every way, and one ton in weight. The hectolitre is used in 

 expressing the measures of grain. 



The following Tables, constructed by Mr. Warren Do La Rue, and published in his 

 'Diary and Almanack,' are reproduced here by his obliging permission : 



French Measures of Length. 



