156 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



unit of length, altliougli it is a determinate part of tlie circumference of tlie 

 earth, bears no simple proportion to a degree of latitude. The English 

 system is a complete chaos, but in fixing the imperial gallon a slight move- 

 ment in this direction was made, as it was fixed as a vessel which would 

 just contain ten pounds weight of water. 



The next point for consideration is that the units shall be of convenient 

 value. All the European nations have adopted a measure of length not 

 very different from the English foot. This may be taken, therefore, as a 

 measure which has been proved by experience to be sufficiently convenient. 

 Considerable latitude is, however, permissible in this matter, and no 

 inconvenience has followed the adoption of the metre which is more than 

 three times as long as the English foot. Whatever value be adopted for 

 the unit it should be as far as possible dependent on some measure given 

 by nature and not liable to change. 



The last point and one of the most important of all is, that the radix of 

 measures shall be the same as the radix of counting. This latter all over 

 the world is the number 10. Unfortunately this number is not well suited for 

 the radix of measures, and as long as it is maintained as the radix of 

 counting, we cannot have a perfect system of weights and measures. 



We cannot alter the properties of the number 10, but we can depose it 

 from its undeserved eminence as our counting radix, and adopt a more 

 suitable number. If our primitive forefathers had only turned in their 

 thumbs, when using their hands to help them in the difficult process of 

 counting, and had used their eight fingers instead of their ten fingers and 

 thumbs, we should have had 8 for our counting radix — a nearly perfect 

 number, as it is a power of two. They did not do so ; but there is no reason 

 why we should be bound by their mistake for ever. We should clearly 

 change the faulty radix we have inherited from them. 



The difficulty of changing the counting radix has, however, always been 

 looked upon as too great to attempt, and the scientific world is quietly 

 adopting the French system, knowing it to be imperfect and inconvenient, 

 although less so than any other in use, having nearly all the requirements 

 of a perfect system, except that of having for its radix some power of two. 

 This exception is, however, of sufficient importance to condemn the system. 

 The inherent unsuitability of ten as a radix will become more and more 

 apparent, as commerce, and the arts and sciences take a more important 

 place in daily work. It must sooner or later be set aside for some other 

 number. We are, therefore, only putting off the evil day by adojoting 

 the French system, and would much better change the radix at once. 



I cannot but think that the difficulty of making the change is very much 

 exaggerated. AVe have some experience of the ease with which a radix 



