3. Russia and the East

Russia

The standard of length is the English foot, introduced by Peter the Great. There is another and older measure, the Arshīn = 28 inches, i.e. the Turkish arshīn of 27·9 inches varied to a simple relation with the new foot; and like the Turkish measure it is divided into 16 nails (Verstok). See ‘Arshīn,’ further on.

3 Arshīns = 1 Sajeng = 7 feet.

500 Sajeng = 1 Verst = 1166·6 yds. (1·06 kilometre).

Turkey

The Arshīn or Halebi pík = 27·9 inches.

5-1/2 Arshīns = 1 Qasáb.

The Hendázi or Stambūli drá = 25·688 inches, very nearly the Hashími cubit = 25·56 inches.

The Cloth-drá = the Flemish ell.

All these are divided into either 16 nails or 24 qirát.

Egypt

The Hendázi drá, as above.

The Nile pík of two standards:

1. That of the Black cubit = 21·28 inches.

2. That of the Royal cubit = 20·65 „

There is also a commonly used pík = 26·8 inches, probably a low standard Flemish ell.

Persia

The geodesic traditions of the ancient Oriental monarchies maintain many of their standards. The principal is the Guz or Yard of 2 common Egyptian cubits 2 × 18·24 = 36·48 inches. It is 1/6000 of the Farsakh, the ancient Parasang or league of 3 meridian miles.

There are also amongst others:

A Clothguz= 1-1/2 Hashími cubits= 38·3inches.
Anotherguz= 1-1/2 Persian cubits= 37·9„
„„= 1-2/3 Hashími cubits= 42„

Roumania

The measures differ little from those of Turkey.

The Halebi pík= 27·6inches.
The Hendázi „= 26·03„

Greece

The Hendázi píchus, of Hashími standard = 25·51, is the usual measure.

Tunis, Tripoli, Algeria

The Moorish drá = 18·94 to 19·2 inches (3/4 of the Hashími cubit), the usual standard. The multiples by 8 show the influence of the Cano of 8 spans from Southern France and Italy.

The ancient Roman mile still exists in Tunis, with a length = 1610-1/4 yards.