1 Degree of a Great Circle of the Earth. An inch is the smallest lineal measure to which a name is given, but subdivisions are used for many purposes. Among mechanics, the inch is commonly divided into eighths. By the officers of the revenue, and by scientific persons, it is divided into tenths, hundredths, &c. Particular Measures of Length. A Nail Quarter = 4 Nails used for measuring cloth of all kinds. (used for height of horses. used in measuring depths. used in Land Measure to facilitate computation of the content, 10 square chains being equal to an acre. 2. MEASURE OF SURFACE. 1 Sq. Foot 9 Sq. Feet = 301 Sq. Yards = 40 Perches = 1 Acre = 1 Sq. Mile = 4 Quarters 1 Hundredweight (cwt.) 20 Cwt. = 1 Ton This weight is used in almost all commercial transactions, and in the common dealings of life. The particular weights belonging to this Division are as follow:-cwt. qr.lb. 14 Pounds = 1 Stone= 0 0 14 Used in the Wool Trade. 24 Grains = 1 Pennyweight= 24 gr. 20 Pennywts. = 1 Ounce 12 Ounces =1 Pound = 480 =5760 These are the denominations of Troy Weight when used for weighing gold, silver, and precious stones (except diamonds). But Troy Weight is also used by Apothecaries in compounding medicines, and by them the ounce is divided into 8 drams, and the dram into 3 scruples, so that the scruple is equal to 20 grains. For scientific purposes the grain only is used; and sets of weights are constructed in decimal progression, from 100,000 grains downwards to of a grain. The carat, used for weighing diamonds, is 3 grains. The term, however, when used to express the fineness of gold, has a relative meaning only. Every mass of alloyed gold is supposed to be divided into 24 equal parts; thus the standard for coin is 22 carat fine, that is, it consists of 22 parts of pure gold, and 2 parts of alloy. 5. ANGULAR MEASURE. OR, DIVISIONS OF THE CIRCLE. = 1 Minute 4 Gills 1 Pint = Scub. ins., 34 nearly. 60 Seconds 2 Pints = 694 60 Minutes 1 Quart = 1 Gallon 4 Qts. 2 Gall. = 1 Peck 8 Gall. = 1 Bushel 8 Bush. 1 Quarter= 5 Qrs. = 1 Load = 51 The four last denominations are used for dry goods only. For liquids several denominations have been heretofore adopted, viz.:-For Beer, the Firkin of 9 Gallons, the Kilderkin of 18, the Barrel of 36, the Hogshead of 54, and the Butt of 108 Galls. Flour is sold nominally by measure, but actually by weight, reckoned at 7 lbs. avoirdupois to a gallon. 4. MEASURE OF WEIGHT. DIVISION I.-AVOIRDUPOIS WEIGHT. 27 Grains = 1 Drachm 16 Drachms = 1 Ounce 28 Pounds = 1 Quarter (qr.) 7 Days 28 Days 28, 29, 30, or 31 Days 12 Calendar Months 365 Days 366 Days = 1 Minute = 1 Hour = 1 Day = 1 Week 1 Lunar Month = 1 Calendar Month 1 Year = 1 Common Year = 1 Leap Year dwt. gr. 5 31 2 13 10 6 Silver. 18 4 4-11 9 22-11 7 6 6-11 16 Ounces =1 Pound (lb.) = 7000 Sixpence Fourpence HARRISON AND SONS, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, Companion to the Almanac; OR, YEAR-BOOK OF GENERAL INFORMATION FOR 1880. PART I. GENERAL INFORMATION ON SUBJECTS OF CURRENCY, GEOGRAPHY, COLONIZATION, SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT, EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB, PROGRESS OF LONDON, THE LONDON SCHOOL BOARD, RECENT SCIENTIFIC INVENTIONS. PART II. ARCHITECTURE AND PUBLIC WORKS, SCIENCE, PAINTING, MUSIC, PHILANTHROPY, LEGISLATION, STATISTICS, AND CHRONICLE OF 1878-79. PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE; OR, FOUR SHILLINGS CONTENTS. GENERAL INFORMATION ON SUBJECTS OF CURRENCY, GEOGRAPHY, COLONIZATION, SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT, EDUCATION The Temperance Refreshment House Movement. By J. J. The Rating of Chronometers. By CHARLES STUART MURRAY. 106 ARCHITECTURE AND PUBLIC WORKS, SCIENCE, Metropolitan Board of Works, Indemnity for 247 Metropolitan Board of Works, Extension of 6. Miscellaneous : Habitual Drunkards. Sale of Food and Drugs Act Abstracts of Parliamentary and other Official Documents: 1. Finance, Taxation, and Currency. 2. General Commerce and Navigation 3. Trade and Agriculture. 4. Population, Public Employment, and Vital 5. Crime, Pauperism, and Accidents. 6. Education, Science, and Art 247 7. Emigration. . 277 |