IS I 



Weights and Measures [no. 4, new sbriks, 



cause, as regards those two, there seems less difficulty in coming 

 tj a conclusion as to the most applicable ami feasible arrangement. 



The unit of Linear measure in India, is generally the distance 

 from the elbow to the tip of the middle linger of a tall man, and 

 is of course no standard at all. This length is known as the haCh 

 or rnoolum, and a\erages 19| inches. It is always translated 

 cubit, though invariably exceeding the English cubit of 18 inches, 

 by lj or 2 inches. In the Southern Carnatic, the adee, or length 

 of a tall man's foot, is in use, and averages 10] inches. The Guz 

 (translated yard) is partially in use all over India, but varies in 

 different localities from 2G 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 Survey, at 33 inches. 



Although the above are the Indian linear measures, the English 

 yard and foot are veTy extensively adopted by Native artizans ; 

 and 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 this 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 forthe new Metrical 

 system. 



It might not be advisable to define the subdivisions 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 a3 regards the foot, 

 by English architects and surveyors. 



The next point is Superficial measure ; and this need only 

 be noticed in connection with Land-measure. 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 go many cubits, but 



