186 Weiglds and Measures [no. 4, new series, 
and IGtlis of 40ths ; or else in 16ths (annas) and 4ths of 16ths. A 
decimal subdivision is most desirable ; not only is the computation 
far easier to the surveyors, but records in decimals, are far more in- 
telligible than in Roods and Perches, and money values in relation 
to areas more easily calculated. The areas recorded in the Ord- 
nance Survey of Great Britain, in which Survey every field is mea- 
sured, are now in acres, and decimals to the third place. There 
cannot be a better authority for a decimal subdivision, and it offers 
no difficulty to the Natives, as regards land measurement.* The 
cawnie, itself, is in several districts in the Madras Presidency, sub- 
divided into lOOihs, and in the present re-survey- of the Southern 
Districts of Madras, the decimal subdivision Q)f the acre has been 
authorised, as stated in para. il. 
The next subject to be considered is that of Weight ; and 
this is important, inasmuch as the best method of fixing a standard 
for measures of Capacity, is with reference to the weight of water 
they will contain. 
The difiiculty connected with determining a standard of Weight 
for the whole of India, is increased by the fact that there are 
conflicting interests and opinions on the subject. Some of the 
best authorities urge that the Ponderary system of India, already 
in some degree established, should be founded on the Rupee (the 
tola of 180 grains), as the standard coin of the country, always 
accessible in cases of doubt or suspicion. Others there are, who 
perceive in the increasing trade with Great Britain, the great want 
of some system by which the Weights and Measures of both coun- 
tries may be assimilated, and they object to the tola unit, because 
no number of even tolas will correspond with one, two, three, four, 
five, six, seven, eight, or ten pounds avoirdupois, the nearest ratio 
being 350 tolas=91b. ; a most inconvenient proportion. 
* It is hardly necessary to argue why a decimal subdivision of Land Measure, 
should be easier of introduction than a decimal arrangement of Weights and Mea- 
sures in general. It is, in practice, a mere division of account. In England not 
one person in a thousand is the least put out by the substitution of Decimals f -r 
Hoods and Perches: whereas, not one in a thousand but would be inconvenienced 
(for a time) by the substitution of 10th of Gallons for Pints, or by Ounces of ten to 
the Pound. 
