The Cantar is divided into 100 Rottoli of 1·247 lb., = 20 ounces.

The Libbra and the Rottolo

Rottoli of over 16 ounces are not uncommon in Mediterranean countries, whether Moslem or Christian. They form an alternate series with the libbra series. Thus in Algiers there are 3 rottoli of 16, 18 and 24 oz., each ounce, = 526·6 grains, being 10 greater dirhems, and coinciding with the Russian ounce. There are—

in Sicily a 12-oz. libbra, = 4897 grs., and a 30-oz. rottolo = 12,244 grs.;

in Malta a 12-oz. libbra, = 4886 grs., and a 30-oz. rottolo = 12,215 grs.;

in Genoa a 12-oz. libbra, = 4893 grs., and an 18-oz. rottolo = 7378 grs.;

in Naples a 12-oz. libbra, = 4950 grs., and a rottolo = 13,750 grs.

These Italian libbre belong to the dirhem system, their ounces being 8 dirhems of slightly different weights; and the ounces are of much lower weight than the ounces of the northern countries or of ancient Rome. Though divided into 12 ounces, these libbre belong to the same class as the 16-oz. pounds of Southern France; all having ounces of 8 dirhems. But in North Africa the Oka and the rottolo have an ounce of 10 dirhems.

Ounces and Dirhems of the Mediterranean System

Lb.ofOz. Dirhem of
Genoa12 oz. 408·5grs.1/8= 51grs.
Sicily„ 408„1/8= 51„
Malta„ 407„1/8= 51„
Sardinia„ 392·6„1/8= 49·1„
Majorca„ 392„1/8= 49„
Languedoc16 oz. 400„1/8= 50„
Gascony„ 392„1/8= 49„
Provence„ 377„1/8= 47·1„
Turkey = 49·5„
Egypt = 47·66„
MoroccoRotl20 oz. 392„ = 49„
TripoliOka40 oz.⎫ 470·75„1/10= 47„
AlgiersRotl16 oz.⎭
TunisRotl16 oz. 485·8„1/10= 48·58„