Part 26 (1/2)
5th = 8 ”
6th = 4 ”
7th = 2 ”
8th = 1 _libra_.
This _libra_ consists of sixteen _unciae_, and the half part of the _libra_ is the _selibra_, which our people call a _mark_, and consists of eight _unciae_, or, as they divide it, of sixteen _semunciae_:--
9th = 8 _unciae_.
10th = 8 _semunciae_.
11th = 4 ”
12th = 2 ”
13th = 1 _semuncia_.
14th = 1 _sicilicus_.
15th = 1 _drachma_.
16th = 1 _dimidi-drachma_.
[Ill.u.s.tration 262 (Weights for a.s.say Balances)]
The above is how the ”greater” weights are divided. The ”lesser” weights are made of silver or bra.s.s or copper. Of these, the first and largest generally weighs one _drachma_, for it is necessary for us to weigh, not only ore, but also metals to be a.s.sayed, and smaller quant.i.ties of lead.
The first of these weights is called a _centumpondium_ and the number of _librae_ in it corresponds to the larger scale, being likewise one hundred[42].
The 1st is called 1 _centumpondium_.
” 2nd ” 50 _librae_.
” 3rd ” 25 ”
” 4th ” 16 ”
” 5th ” 8 ”
” 6th ” 4 ”
” 7th ” 2 ”
” 8th ” 1 ”
” 9th ” 1 _selibra_.
” 10th ” 8 _semunciae_.
” 11th ” 4 ”
” 12th ” 2 ”
” 13th ” 1 ”
” 14th ” 1 _sicilicus_.
The fourteenth is the last, for the proportionate weights which correspond with a _drachma_ and half a _drachma_ are not used. On all these weights of the lesser scale, are written the numbers of _librae_ and of _semunciae_. Some copper a.s.sayers divide both the lesser and greater scale weights into divisions of a different scale. Their largest weight of the greater scale weighs one hundred and twelve _librae_, which is the first unit of measurement.
1st = 112 _librae_.
2nd = 64 ”
3rd = 32 ”
4th = 16 ”
5th = 8 ”
6th = 4 ”
7th = 2 ”
8th = 1 ”
9th = 1 _selibra_ or sixteen _semunciae_.
10th = 8 _semunciae_.
11th = 4 ”