that the ruble of Russia, for instance, fluctuated from 77.17 cents in 1874 to 37.4 cents in April, 1897, such computations are wholly misleading. All computations of values, trade, wages, prices, etc., of and in the "fluctuating-currency countries” should be made in the values of their currencies in each year up to and including 1890, and in the quarterly valuations thereafter.

To meet typographical requirements, the quotations for the years 1876, 1877, 1879, 1881, 1882, and 1891-95 are omitted, these years being selected as showing the least fluctuations when compared with years immediately preceding and following.

To save unnecessary repetition, the estimates of valuations are divided into three classes, viz: (A) countries with fixed currencies, (B) countries with fluctuating currencies, and (C) quarterly valuations of fluctuating currencies.

A.-Countries with fixed currencies.

The following official (United States Treasury) valuations of foreign coins do not include "rates of exchange."

Gold-escudo ($1.25), doubloon ($3.65), and condor ($7.30); silver-peso and divisions. Gold -2, 5, 10, and 20 colons; silver-5, 10, 25, and 50 centisimos. Gold-doubloon ($5.01,7); silver-peso (60 cents).

Gold-10 and 20 crowns.

Gold-10, 20, 50, and 100 piasters; silver-1, 2, 10, and 20 piasters.

Gold -10 and 20 marks ($1.93

and $3.85,9).

.19,3 Gold- 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 francs; silver-5 francs.

Gold-5, 10, and 20 marks.

Gold-sovereign (pound sterling) and half sovereign.

Gold -5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 drachmas; silver-5 drachmas, Silver-gourde.

Gold 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 lire silver 5 lire.

Gold-1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 yen.

Gold-10 florins; silver-, 1, and 21⁄2 florins.

Gold-$2 ($2.02,7).

Gold -1, 2, 5, and 10 milreis. Gold imperial ($7.718) and imperial ($3.80); silver-1⁄4, 1⁄2, and 1 ruble.

Gold--25 pesetas; silver-5 pese

tas.

Gold-10 and 20 crowns.

+ The gold standard was adopted October 1, 1892. (See CONSULAR Reports No. 147, p. 623.) Values are still, however, frequently expressed in the florin or gulden, which is worth 2 crowns or 40.6 cents. Gold standard adopted October 1, 1897. (See CONSULAR REPORTS NO. 201, p. 259.)

§ See note to table of fluctuating currencies.

For an account of the adoption of the gold standard, see Review of the World's Commerce, 1896-97, P. 254.

*The silver standard prevailed in Austria-Hungary up to 1892. The law of August 2 of that year (see CONSULAR REPORTS, No. 147, p. 623) established the gold standard.

+ The Egyptian pound became fixed in value at $4.94,3 in 1887.

The Netherlands florin fluctuated up to the year 1880, when it became fixed at 40.2 cents.

China.........

Jan. 1. April 1. July 1. Oct. 1. Jan. 1. April 1. July 1.

Silver boliviano.$0.42,4 $0.40,9 $0.41,8 $0.43,6 $0.43,9 $0.43,4 $0.44,3

Bolivia..........

Central America..........

Colombia
Ecuador

India *

Japan

Mexico..
Persia

Peru

*The commercial value of the rupee to be determined by consular certificate.

.42,4 .40,9 .41,8 .43,6

.43,9 .43.4

.44.3

-42,4

.40,9 .41,8 .43,6 .43,9 .43.4

.44,3

.19, I

.19,9

.20,7

.20,8

.20,6

.21

.49,8

.07,8

.42,4

.44,4
.07,5 .07,7
.40,9 .41,8

.45,4

.47,4

.47.7

FOREIGN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

The following table embraces only such weights and measures as are given from time to time in CONSULAR REPORTS and in Commercial Relations:

Foreign weights and measures, with American equivalents.

Double or metric..
China........

220.46 pounds.
14 inches.

*More frequently called "kin." Among merchants in the treaty ports it equals 1.333 pounds

avoirdupois.