TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 161 



measures from the Government. But the name of an artist of established reputa- 

 tion ought to be shown on the mural standard as a voucher for its correctness. 



IV. Distribution and Exposure to public view. — This part of the subject will be 

 more especially considered when we come to the last division, viz., the assistance 

 to be afforded by the British Association. At present I will only make the obvious 

 remark, that the mural standards should be put up wherever they will be least ex- 

 posed to injury, and can be seen, examined, and compared by the greatest number 

 of persons. 



V. Use in Education. — The immediate and primary use of these standards will 

 be to make the two methods of linear measurement universally known, to render the 

 terms, especially those belonging to the metre, familiar to the people, and to enable 

 all persons to verify their own measures. But it is important to have an eye also 

 to the use of these instruments in education. For this purpose I have proposed 

 exact dimensions in length, breadth, and thickness, on the metric scale. The con- 

 sequence will be that they may give many useful and interesting lessons in men- 

 suration and geometry. In this way the instrument may be of great use in large 

 schools for every class of the community. It will be observed that the space, one 

 centimetre wide, which is immediately below the yard, is divided into 100 square 

 centimetres. The dimensions of the other spaces being borne in mind, the follow- 

 ing questions and answers will illustrate the present subject. 



What is the area of this mural standard in square centimetres ? — Answer : 101 X 6 

 = 606 square centimetres. 

 State also what is the area in square decimetres and millimetres. 



Answer : 6-06 square decimetres. 

 60600 square millimetres. 



What proportion does this surface bear to that of a square metre or centiare ? — ■ 

 Answer: as 606 to 10,000=^-^= jtjj. 



Give the solid contents of the instrument in centimetres, supposing it to be one 

 centimetre thick. — Answer : 606 solid centimetres. 



What part is this of a solid metre ? — Answer : 250 00Q . 



What is the weight of the instrument, supposing the specific gravity to be 2-6 ? 

 —Answer : 606x2-6 = 1575-6 grams., or 1-5756 kilos. 



VI. — Aid to be afforded by the British Association. — Since the promotion of 

 the metric system is an object of universal interest, and one in which science 

 has been applied in the most admirable manner to practical purposes, there 

 is none to which the British Association for the Advancement of Science can 

 with greater propriety extend its patronage, and devote a portion of its funds. 

 In connexion with this object a Committee was appointed at Newcastle-on- 

 Tvne; this Committee was reappointed last year at Bath, and was authorized 

 to spend the sum of £20. This money has not been applied for, no specific 

 object requiring such an expenditure having presented itself to the Committee. 

 Let the Committee be reappointed. Let it be encouraged to proceed, and autho- 

 rized to construct mural standards of the best possible description. Let one of 

 these be offered to every place where the British Association has held a Meeting, 

 two or three being offered where two or three Meetings have been held. Let the 

 authorities of these towns, cities, or imiversities be requested to expose these stand- 

 ards to view in such places and in such manner as they may judge most suitable 

 and expedient. The Association may thus acknowledge, in a handsome and appro- 

 priate manner, the kindness and generosity which it has experienced ; it may confer 

 a public benefit, and supply a great deficiency in the provisions for conducting 

 trade ; it may aid the movement, than which none, perhaps, is at the present 

 moment more important in the interests of education and philanthropy, and it may 

 vindicate and exalt science in the eyes of all reflecting persons, by showing its 

 utility in every-day life, and in all commercial transactions. 



1865. 11 



