WEI 
length, whatever the denomination should 
be fixed on, whether yard, or any thing else. 
It was however found, that it would be dif- 
ficult in practice to measure and determine 
tlie true length of such a pendulum, that is, 
the exact distance between the point of 
suspension and the point of oscillation. An- 
other cause of inaccuracy was afterwards 
discovered, when it was found that tlie se- 
cond’s pendulum was of different lengths 
in all the different latitudes, owing to the 
spheroidal figure of the earth, (See Earth,) 
which is tlie cause why places, in different 
latitudes, at different distances from the 
centre, and of course the pendulums are 
acted upon by different forces of gravi- 
ty, and therefore require to be of different 
lengths. In the latitude of London this is 
found to be 39^ inches nearly. 
The Society of Arts, &c. have offered 
premiums for a plan that might accomplish 
this great object : and among other devices 
then brought forward was one by Mr. Hat- 
toi^ which consisted in measuring the dif- 
ference of the lengths of two pendulums at 
different times of vibration ; which could 
be performed more easily and accurately 
than that of the length of one single pendu- 
lum. This method was put in practice, 
and fully explained, and illustrated, by the 
late Mr. Whitehurst, in his attempts to as- 
certain an universal standard of weights and 
measures. The same kind of inaccuracy of 
measurement obtains in this way, though in 
a smaller degree, as in a single pendulum. 
Another method has been proposed, on ob- 
serving very accurately the space that a hea- 
vy body falls freely through in one second of 
time. Here absolute accuracy is almost 
unattainable, besides, the form of the earth 
introduces difficulties, owing to the different 
distances from the centre, and the con- 
sequent diversity in the force of gravity 
by which the body falls. This space, in the 
latitude of London, has been found 193 
inches, of course it is different in other- 
latitudes. The method of late years, pro- 
posed by the French, is that of measuring a 
degree on the earth’s surface, at the lati- 
tude of 45 degrees, and from this to deduce 
an universal measure of lengths, which would 
be easily applicable to weights also. 
WEIGHTS and MEASURES, in law. 
The standard of measures was originally 
kept at Winchester, which measure was, by 
the law of King Edgar, ordained to be ob. 
served throughout the kingdom. By statute 
35 George III. c. 102, the justices in quar-’ 
ter sessions, in every county, are required 
WHA 
to appoint persons to examine the weight* 
and balances within their respective juris- 
dictions. These inspectors may seize and 
examine weights in shops, &c. and seize 
false w'eights and balances ; and the of- 
fender, being convicted before one justice, 
shall be fined from five shillings to twenty- 
shillings. Persons obstructing the inspec- 
tors, to forfeit from five shillings to forty 
shillings. Inspectors to be recompensed 
out of the county rate. Standard weights 
to be purchased by the sessions out of the 
county rate, and produced to all persons 
paying for the production thereof. Infor- 
mations to be within one month. 
WEINMANNIA, in botany, so named 
in honour of Joh. Wilh. Weinmann ; a ge- 
nus of the Octandria Digynia class and or- 
der. Natural order of Saxifragae, Jussieu. 
Essential character : calyx four-leaved ; co- 
rolla four petalled ; capsule two-celled, two- 
beaked. There are six species. 
WELDING. Welding is that intimate 
union produced between the surfaces of 
two pieces of malleable metal, when heat- 
ed almost to fusion, and hammered. This 
union is so strong, thqt when two bars of 
metal are properly welded, the place of 
junction is as strong, relatively to its thick- 
ness, as any other part of the bar. Only 
two of the old metals are capable of firm 
union by welding, namely platina and iron ; 
the same properly belongs to the newly dis- 
covered metals, potassium and sodaum. 
WERNERITE, in mineralogy, is of a 
colour between yellow and green ; it oc- 
curs crystallized ; specific gravity is about 
3.6. It intumesces before the blow'-pipe, 
and melts into a whitish enamel. It is 
found in the iron mines in Sweden and Nor- 
way. 
WESTRINGIA, in botany, so named in 
honour of John Peter Westring; a genus of 
tlie Didynamia Gymnospermia class and 
order. Natural order of Verticillatae. La- 
biatse, Jussieu. Essential character : calyx 
half, five-cleft, five-sided ; corolla reversed, 
with four segments, the longest erect, 
cloven ; stamens distant, the two shorter, or 
lowest, abortive. There is only one spe- 
cies, viz. W. rosmariniformis, a native of 
New South Wales, near Port Jackson. 
WHALE. See Bal^na. , 
Whale fishery. See Fishery. 
WHARF, a space on the banks of a 
haven, creek, or hithe, provided for the 
convenient loading and unloading of vessels 
upon. The fee paid for the landing of 
goods on a wharf, or for shipping tlieiu off, 
