WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

345

METRIC SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT.

The metric system of measurement was first introduced by the
French, and is now adopted by most European countries. The lineal
measure is based on the length of the metre, which is one ten-millionth
part of the distance from the equator to the pole, 3-281 feet.

The units of length, capacity and weight are called the metre, litre.
and gramme respectively. Multiples of these units are obtained by
prefixing to them the Greek words deca (10), hecto (100), and kilo (1000),
the divisions being obtained by prefixing the Latin words deci (rfr)*
centi (iihr), &&& milli (-nnro)- These prefixes form the key to the entire
system.

Measures of Length.

1 millimetre

10 millimetres = 1 centimetre
10 centimetres = 1 decimetre
10 decimetres = 1 metre
10 metres = 1 decametre

10 decametres = 1 hectometre
10 hectometres — 1 kilometre

= 0-039 inches

= 0-394 inches

= 3-937 inches

= 39-371 inches

= 10-936 yards

= 109-363 yards

= 1093-63 yards

Measures of Volume and Capacity.

1 milHlitre = 0-061 cubic inches
10 millilitres = 1 centilitre = 0-61 cubic inches
10 centilitres = 1 decilitre = 6-10 cubic inches
10 decilitres = 1 litre = 61-02 cubic inches

10 litres = 1 decalitre

10 decalitres = 1 hectolitre
10 hectolitres = 1 kilolitre
I litre is equal to the volume occupied by 1 cubic decimetre.

Measures of Weight.

1 milligram =

10 milligrams = 1 centigram =
10 centigrams = 1 decigram =
10 decigrams = 1 gramme =
10 grammes = 1 decagram
10 decagrams = 1 hectogram
10 hectograms = 1 kilogram
1000 kilograms = 1 ton
1 gramme is the weight of i cubic centimetre of pure distilled wate*
at a temperature of 39-2° F.
N

0-353 cubic feet

3-53 cubic feet

35-31 cubic feet

00154 grains
= 0-154 grains
= 1-54 grains
= 15-43 grains
= 154-32 grains
= 0-22 Ibs. avoirdupois
= 2-204 Ibs. avoirdupois
=2204 Ibs. avoirdupois