Page:Madras journal of literature and science vol 2 new series 1857.djvu/194

151 Weiglds and Measures [so. 4, new series. cause, as regards those two, there seems less difficulty in commg to a conclusion as to the most applicable and feasible arrangement.

The unit of Linear measure in India, is generally the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger of a tall man, and is of course no standard at all. This length is known as the hafh or mochtm, and axerages 19^ inches. * It is alwajs translated cuhit^ though inrariably exceeding the English cubit of 18 inches, by I5 or 2 inches. In the Southern Carnatic, the adee, or length of a tall man's foot, is in use, and axefages lOJ inches. The Guz (translated yard) is partially in use all over Ind'^ but varies in different localities from 26 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 Surrey, at 'dZ inches.

Although the above are the Indian linear measures, the English yard and foot are very extensively adopted by Native artizans ; ajid 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 tins 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 for the new Metrical system.

It might not be advisable to define the suhdimsions 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 as regards the foci, by English architects and surveyors.

The next point is Superficial measure ; and this need only be noticed in connection with Land-meafure. 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 co many cubits, but