230 Scientific Intelligence. 
some units which are ens large or excessively small in 
comparison with the magnitudes which o in _—— but a 
remedy for this inconvenience is added. i. a method of denot- 
decimal multiples and sub-multiples, which se already been 
i adopted, and which we desire to recommend for 
general use 
n the initial question of the particular units of mass, length, 
and time, to be recommended as the basis of the whole system, 
a protracted discussion has been carried on, the principal point 
discussed being the claims of the gram, the meter and the second, 
as against the gram, the os _and the second; thet ormer 
density of water neeneny equal to unity. We are now all but 
unanimous in regarding this latter element of simplicity as the 
more important o two; and in support of this view we desire 
to quote the authority of Sir W. Thomson, who has for a long 
time insisted big strongly “pen the necessity of employing units 
hich conform to this condit 
haa ere rdiarty lecoarnend. the general adoption of the centi- 
, the gram, and the second, as the three fundamental units : 
poe a until such time as special names shall be appropriated to the 
units of electrical and magnetic magnitude hence derived, 
recom t h i 
Wait 348 a os several lists of names have a ~~ been 
suggested; and attentive consideration will be given to an 
further suggestions —_ we may receive from persons interested 
in electrical n omenc clature. 
Th h 
e “ohm,” ooh saa by the original standard coil, is 
approximately 10° ©, G. S. units of resistance. The “volt 4 
approximately 108 C. G. 8. = of electromotive forms an 
the “farad ” is approximately - of the C. G. S. unit of capacity: 
For the —_ of high decimal ware! and aber 
we recommend the system introduced b G. J. Stoney—4 
system which has already been a . eatiplayedd for —— 
trical purposes. It consists in denoting the exponent of i 
power of 10 which serves as multiplier, by an appended cardinal 
number if the exponent be as and ee a prefixed ordina 
number if the exponent be negative. Thus 
10° grams constitute a aint 
Tar of a gram constitutes a ninth-gram. 
earth’s circumference is approximately four meter-sevens, °F 
four centimeter-nines. 
