164 /Scientific Intelligence. 



weights, measures and moneys, and to bring them into relations 

 of simple commensurability with each other. 



(2.) To secure universal adoption of common units of measure 

 for quantities in physical observation or investigation, for which 

 ordinary systems of metrology do not provide; such as divisions 

 of barometer, thermometer, and densimeter; amount of work 

 done by machines ; amount of mechanical energy, active or po- 

 tential, of bodies, as dependent on their motion or position ; 

 quantities of heat present in bodies of given temperatures, or 

 generated by combustion or otherwise ; quantity and intensity 

 of electro-dynamic currents; aggregate and efficient power of 

 prime movers; accelerative force of gravity; pressure of steam 

 and atmosphere ; and other matters analogous to these. 



(3.) To secure uniform usage as to standard points of reference^ 

 or physical conditions to which observations must be reduced for 

 purposes of comparison ; especially temperature and pressure to 

 which are referred specific gravities of bodies, and the zero of 

 longitude on the earth. 



(4.) To secure the use of the decimal system for denominations 

 of weight, measure, and money derived from unit-basis, not nec- 

 essarily excluding for practical purposes binary or other conven- 

 ient divisions, but maintained along with such other methods, on 

 account of facilities for calculation, reductions, and comparison of 

 values, afforded by a system conforming to our numerical notation. 



Modes of operation. — (1) The society will endeavor to carry 

 out its objects, by appeals to congress, state legislatures, boards 

 of education, higher institutions of learning, and to directors and 

 teachers of schools of every grade throughout the country, urg- 

 ing adoption of measures in their several spheres for diffusing 

 information as to the present state of the world's metrology and 

 recent progress in its reform, and specially for instructing the 

 rising generation in these matters, to the end that our people 

 may be early and fully prepared to act intelligently on the im- 

 portant questions connected with weights and measures. 



(2.) By invoking the aid and cooperation of bodies organized 

 to consider questions of scientific or social interest, boards of 

 trade, chambers of commerce, societies of engineers, industrial 

 associations, professions and trades, in this country and elsewhere. 



(3.) By specially urging scientific bodies to open communica- 

 tions with similar bodies in other countries, with a view to 

 general agreement on values to be henceforth uniformly given to 

 units of measure and points of reference which particularly con- 

 cern them : i. e., to the so-called constants of science. 



(4.) By memorializing Congress in favor of laws requiring the 

 use, in certain departments of the public service, of metric 

 weights and measures, wherever such legislation may tend to 

 relieve commerce of some of its burdens, to facilitate international 

 communication, to promote international jurisprudence, and to 

 familiarize our own people with the benefits of that system of 

 metrology, with the least interference with their ordinary habits 

 of thought or daily business. 



