151 
Weiglds and Measures [so. 4, new series. 
eause, as regards those two, there seems less difficulty in commg 
to a conclusion as to the most applicable and feasible arrangement. 
The unit of Linear measure in India, is generally the distance 
from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger of a tall man, and 
is of course no standard at all. This length is known as the hafh 
or mochtm, and axerages 19^ inches. * It is alwajs translated 
cuhit^ though inrariably exceeding the English cubit of 18 inches, 
by I5 or 2 inches. In the Southern Carnatic, the adee, or length 
of a tall man's foot, is in use, and axefages lOJ inches. The Guz 
(translated yard) is partially in use all over Ind'^ but varies in 
different localities from 26 to 36 inches. In Bombay it is 27 inches, 
and in the North- West Provinces of India it has been defined by 
the Government, for the purpose of Surrey, at 'dZ inches. 
Although the above are the Indian linear measures, the English 
yard and foot are very extensively adopted by Native artizans ; 
ajid in all the Public Works of India, which give employment to 
thousands of Natives, the English linear measure is universally em- 
ployed. Considering therefore that tins Measure is already so 
familiar to the people, and that their own is so undefined, and 
fluctuating in practice, there can be little doubt but that the Eng- 
lish Yard and Foot should be determined on for the new Metrical 
system. 
It might not be advisable to define the suhdimsions of the 
Yard and Foot, till the question is settled in England. Both Par- 
liamentary Committees that have reported on the subject of Weights 
and Measures, in 1841 and 1854, have recommended a decimal 
subdivision, and it has been adopted already as regards the foci, 
by English architects and surveyors. 
The next point is Superficial measure ; and this need only 
be noticed in connection with Land-meafure. According to the 
ancient Indian system, an area of land is often named after the 
quantity of seed required to sow it, or the quantity it will produce, 
and of course the actual area differs according to the opinion of 
the person who makes the estimate. Where linear definition is 
given, mention is made of Rods or Ropes, of co many cubits, but 
