University of Virginia Library

VII. Weights and Measures.

(In use since 1799.)

The English values of the French weights and measures are
given approximately.

Millier = 1000 kilogrammes = 19 cwt. 2 qrs. 22 lbs. 6 oz.

Kilogramme, unit of weight, = 2⅕ lbs avoirdupois =
2 7/10 lbs troy.

Quintal = 10 myriagrammes = 100 kilogrammes = 230 lbs.

Hectogramme (1/10 kilogramme) = 10 décagrammes = 100 gr.
= 1000 décigrammes.

Myriamètre = 10,000 mètres = 6⅕ Engl. miles.

Kilomètre = 1000 mètres = 5 furlongs.

Hectomètre = 10 décamètres = 100 mètres.

Mètre, the unit of length, the ten-millionth part of the spherical
distance from the equator to the pole = 3,0784
(about 3 1/13 Paris feet = 1 yd. 3⅓ in.

Décimètre (1/10 mètre) = 10 centimètres = 100 millimètres.

Hectare (square hectomètre) = 100 ares = 10,000 sq. mètres
2½ acres.

Are (square décamètre) = 100 sq. mètres.

Déciare = 1/10 are = 10 sq. mètres.

Centiare = 1/100 are = 1 sq. mètre.

Hectolitre = 1/10 cube mètre = 100 litres = 22 gallons.

Décalitre = 1/100 cube mètre = 10 litres = 2⅕ gals.

Litre, unit of capacity, = 1¾ pint; 8 litres = 7 quarts.

The following terms of the old system of measurements are
still occasionally employed:

Livre = ½ kilogramme = 1 1/10 lb.

Pied = ⅓ mètre = 13 in.

Aune = 1⅕ mètre = 1 yd. 11 in.

Toise = 1 9/10 mètre = 2 yds. 4 in.

Lieue = 2½ miles.

Arpent = 1 1/25 acre.

Setier = 1½ hectolitre = 33 gals.

The thermometers commonly used in France are the Centigrade
and Réaumur's. The freezing point on both of these is
marked 0°, the boiling-point of the former 100°, of the latter 80°.
It may easily be remembered that 5° Centigrade = 4° Réaumur
= 9° Fahrenheit. In converting degrees of the Centigrade or
Réaumur into degrees of Fahrenheit, 32° must be added to the
result for temperatures above freezing; for lower temperatures the
result must be subtracted from 32°.