JULY — SEPT. 1857.] 



for India. 



197 



ed, as shown in the margin ; but it is probable 

 that the dealers in the bazaar, would not heap 

 quite so liberally. The accuracy is of course 

 not so great but that the diameter may be con- 

 sidered either the inner or outer. 



The best " Seer-measures" are about' 3J to 

 3J inches in diameter, and 6 inches deep, but 

 they are never true cylinders. Their cubic con- 

 tents are from 66 to 66J cubic inches, holding 

 from 74 to 75 tolas of rice when struck, and 80 

 when heaped. It so happens, as may be seen 

 by reference to the Appendix,* that a vessel of 

 66 T V cubic inches capacity will contain at a 

 temperature of 84° (a good day temperature for 

 India,) 16650 grains, or exactly 92J tolas weight 

 of water. This would hold on an average when 

 struck, 74J tolas weight of rice ; and with a 

 diameter of 3-7 inches, 80 tolas if heaped. Thus 

 if a " seer" of 80 tolas be adopted, such a Mea- 

 sure would be exactly what is understood by 

 the Natives of the country to be a " Seer-mea- 

 sure." 



No measure of capacity could be more easily 

 introduced than this, and a Table f might be 

 framed, according to which the multiples of the 

 Seer should bear a correct proportion when 

 struck, and also as correct a ratio when heaped, 

 as the circumstances of the case will admit ; at all events nearer 

 than has hitherto satisfied Native usage. 



The sub-multiples of the " Seer-measure" are generally (not 

 always) used for Liquid measures in India. The only liquids sold 

 by measure, are Ghee, (clarified butter,) Oil, and Milk. No defined 

 measure is used for Arrack and Toddy (intoxicating liquors), and 



Diameter 

 Inches. 



Tolas wt. 

 of Rice in 

 heap. 



2 



o 





91 



2| 



3 



4 





3 



4 



3^ 



Al 



sS 



5 



3| 



4< 



6 



4 



7 





9 



4 



11 



4| 



^4 



13 



5 



15 



4. 



18 





21 



5| 



4 



24 



6 



27 



6| 



30 



6i 



34 



6| 



4 



38 



7 



41 





45 





49 



' 4 



53 



8 



58 





63 



H 



68 



H 



74 



9 



80 



9J 



92 



10 



104 



* Vide page 212. 

 t Vide page 198. 



