174 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XII. 



now in force, in amending the law, declared the Imperial 

 standard pound avoirdupois as the only standard measure of 

 weight, and one equal y^Jo P ar ^ of such pound avoirdu- 

 pois as equal to a grain, and 5,760 such grains as equal to a 

 pound troy ; and the Imperial standard yard as the only 

 standard measure of extension. 



Notwithstanding the adoption of the Imperial standard 

 for Colonial weights and measures, most of their transactions 

 are conducted by the Sinhalese according to their own crude 

 systems, principally with regard to the preparation of drugs 

 and in dealings connected with the superficial extent of land. 



The following general table is taken from Abhiddhdna- 

 padipika, and it seems to be the basis of all the weights and 

 of most of the measures hitherto and at present in use : — 



4 vi eta 

 2 gun j as 



5 masakas 



8 akas 

 5 kalandas 



5 suvannas 



10 palams 

 100 palams 

 20 thulas 



2 ullakuwos 

 4 ullakuwos 

 4 allakhos 



4 dronas 

 4 manika 



20 kharis 



10 amunams 



2 lahas 

 2 neli 

 2 yallos 

 10 dronas 



1 gunja, or olinda seed 



1 masaka 



2 akas. One aka is equal to 20 grains of 

 paddy 



1 kalanda, or darana 



1 suvanna, or' pancha darana. A weight, 

 or coin, of gold equal to about 175 grains 

 troy, according to Wilson. It is about 

 the weight of five copper cents. (Mahd- 

 ivansa, chap. C. p. 358, in notes) 



1 nikka 



1 darana 

 1 thula 



1 bara, or karisa 



1 pata, a measure of capacity 



4 neli, or one allakho, or 4 patas 



1 drona, or mani = 52 seers, or about 64 lb. 



avoirdupois. (Mahdwansa, chap. XXIV., 



p. 203, in notes) 

 1 manika 



1 khari (or amunam) 

 1 waha 

 1 kumbha 



1 allakho 

 1 patho 

 1 waho 

 1 amunam 



