CHEMICAL NOTATION AND ATOMIC WEIGHTS. 579 
of supply, causing the substitution of something else, as in the case of Os. Sepias and 
pink root, but if Russian rhubarb could be obtained at all, no other would be used. 
Mr. Robinson stated that some years since, rhubarb was imported as Siberian which 
proved to be English. 
Mr. E. Davies, F.C.S., then read the paper for the evening, on “ The Metrical System 
of Weights and Measures.” 
After alluding to the slow degrees by which perfection is attained in any of the in¬ 
ventions of man, and the apparent perversity of the intellect in choosing complexity 
rather than simplicity, the author gave some instances of the anomalies existing in the 
present system of weights and measures in this country. A short account of the origin 
of the metric system was then given, and its application to weights and measures ex¬ 
plained by the aid of a most extensive and complete set of weights, measures, and dia¬ 
grams, kindly lent by Mr. James Yates, of Lauderdale House, London. 
The advantages which it was considered would arise from its adoption are, simplifica¬ 
tion of reckoning; the power of readily calculating linear into cubic measure and thence 
deducing weights ; the saving of time in education, estimated by Professor De Morgan 
at one year; the finality which would be ensured by the adoption of a plan founded on 
an unalterable basis; and the more intimate relations into which we should be brought 
with other nations. Various objections were alluded to, and answers to them given, 
and the paper concluded with an earnest appeal to the members of the Association to 
make themselves acquainted with a system which must eventually be adopted. 
Mr. Robinson considered that the time was come for the introduction of the metric 
system, and spoke of the confusion and difficulty in carrying on foreign trade, arising 
from the necessity of converting one set of weights andmieasures into another. 
Mr. Shaw said that he thoroughly agreed with the author of the paper that the me¬ 
tric system should be introduced into this country, but he believed that opposition had 
been needlessly provoked by the promoters of a Bill brought into Parliament some time 
since, proposing that its use should be made compulsory in three years. It required a long 
time to introduce it into France, and he thought that from ten td'twenty years might be 
given. Petitions from chambers of commerce and other public bodies would be of great 
service, and he thought that the Liverpool Chemists’ Association should aid in the work. 
He proposed the following resolution:—“That this Association recommends the adoption 
of the Metrical System of Weights and Measures in the United Kingdom.” 
Mr. R. Sumner said that he was glad to find that the collection before them had 
been exhibited for a considerable time at the principal educational bookseller’s establish¬ 
ment in the town, as, to successfully introduce so great a change, we must begin with 
the young. He did not think that a very long time would be necessary to prepare the 
minds of the people, but he had no faith at all in a merely permissive Bill. Pie seconded 
the resolution. 
Mr. Betts believed that three or five years would be quite time enough to allow 
before making the use' of the metric system compulsory, because if twenty years were 
given, nothing would be done until the end of that time. 
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. 
A vote of thanks was also proposed to Mr. Davies for his paper, which was carried 
by acclamation. 
ORIGINAL AND EXTRACTED ARTICLES. 
ON RECENT CHANGES IN CHEMICAL NOTATION AND 
ATOMIC WEIGHTS.* 
BY WILLIAM A. TILDEN, E.C.S., DEMONSTRATOR IN THE LABORATORY OF 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY. 
(Continued from 'page 533.) 
From the description which has been given of the changes of late years in¬ 
troduced into the values of the atomic weights of the elements, it will be seen 
* In the last number the following errors of the press require correction :—Turpith mineral 
is Hg 3 S0 4 0 2 , not Hg 4 S0 4 C>2 (p* 529) ; the atomic weight of silicon is 28, not 24 (p. 533). 
2 P 2 
