426 . Scientific Intelligence* 
100 human skulls in the cave in the space of twenty feet square. 
— Id. N® iv. p. 630. 
39- New W eights andMeasures . — The following note contains 
the substance of the report of the Commissioners appointed by 
the Prince Regent for considering the subject of weights and 
measures. 
1. With respect to the actual magnitude of the standards of 
length, the Commissioners are of opinion that there is no suffi- 
cient reason for altering those generally employed, as there 
is no practical advantage in having a quantity commensurable 
to any original quantity existing, or which may be imagined to 
exist, in nature, except as affording some little encouragement to 
its common adoption by neighbouring nations.” 
2. The sub-divisions of weights and measures at present 
employed in this country, appear to be far more convenient for 
practical purposes than the decimal scale.” The power of 
expressing a third, a fourth, and a sixth of a foot in inches, 
mthout a fraction, is a peculiar advantage in the duodecimal 
scale ; and for the operations of weighing, and of measuring ca- 
pacities, the continual division by two renders it practicable to 
make up any given quantity with the smallest possible number 
of weights and measures, and is far preferable in this respect to 
any decimal scale.” The Commissioners therefore recommend, 
that all the multiples and subdivisions of the standard to be 
adopted should retain the same relative proportions to each other, 
as are at present in general use.” 
3. That the standard yard should be that employed by General 
Roy in the measurement of a base on Hounslow Heath, as a 
foundation of the great trigonometrical survey. 
4. That in case this standard should be lost or impaired, it 
shall be declared, that the length of a pendulum vibrating se- 
conds of mean solar time in London, on the level of the sea, and 
in a vacuum, is 39.1372 inches of the standard scale, and that 
the length of the French metre, as the 10 millionth part of the 
quadrantal arc of the meridian, has been found equal to 
39.3694 inches. 
5. That ten ounces troy, or 4800 grains, should be declared 
equal to the weight of 1 9 cubic inches of distilled water at the 
