VOL. XLI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 433 



The word quarter, as applied to grain, is also here explained. Most writers, 

 have supposed it the 4th part of some measure, but what that measure was, 

 could never satisfactorily be made out. The learned Fleetwood guessed nearest 

 the truth, supposing it the 4th part — not of any measure, but of some load or 

 weight. (Chron. Pretios. p. 72.) It is strange that he stopped here, and did 

 not observe what that load or weight was, viz. a ton or 2000 lb. But the avoir- 

 dupois ton, in use at present for all gross weights, threw such a mist over the 

 subject as could not easily be seen through. 



From the original and natural signification of the word hundred, it plainly 

 appears, that twenty hundred, or a ton, must be exactly two thousand 

 weight. 



uiccount of a Tract entitled^ Jo. Frederici fVeidleri Commentalio de Parheliis 

 Mense Januario ^nni 1736, prope Petroburgum Angli,e et Kitembergcg Saxo- 

 num visis. Accedit de rubore cceli igneo Mense Decembri Anni 1737> obser- 

 vato Corolla riui/i, Fitembergie, 1738, 4to. N'' 458, p. 459. 



An Attempt to examine the Barrows in Cornwall. By Stephen fVilliams, M. D. 



F.R.S. N°458, p. 465. 



These barrows are conical hillocks, generally situated on places of eminence, 

 on or near the summit of downs, and so capable of being seen at a great dis- 

 tance ; and often near the most public or greatest roads, though sometimes in 

 inclosed or fenced lands. They are sometimes single, and other times a num- 

 ber together. 



The height and dimensions of the barrows in Cornwall, are various, from 4 

 to 30 feet high, and from 15 to 130 broad; but they always bear a regular 

 proportion in their form. Some have a ditch round their circumferences ; some 

 a small circle of stones at the top ; some a circle of stones round the extreme 

 verge of their basis. 



The barrows, which are the subject of the present inquiry, lie on the sum- 

 mit of St. Austle Downs, about a mile from the town, and half a mile from the 

 sea. They are mostly composed of adventitious earth, with commonly a cir- 

 cular hole, of about 2 feet diameter and depth, sunk under the centre of the 

 base, containing at bottom a small portion of a fat black earth, about 1 inch 

 thick, and covered by pretty large stones to sustain the superincumbent weight 

 of the earth. 



Though they had hitherto found no urn in searching several barrows, yet 

 being persuaded by the unctuous black earth, and the cylindrical pits, in the 



VOL. VIII. 3 K 



