In the United States, where the old wine-gallon of 231 cubic inches is retained, the old wine-pint of 16 fluid ounces is used. 231 c.i. × 252·458 (grains of water in 1 c.i.) gives—

58,317·8grainsforthegallon
7,289·7pint
455·6ounce

The fluid ounce is divided as in England into 8 fluid drachms, of 60 minims.


[26]. For a long time the difference between ale and beer was that beer was hopped.

[27]. It has been suggested that the 280 c.i. corn-gallon was constructed so as to have Averdepois-Troy ratio to the 231 c.i. wine-gallon (1·215 : 1). But the latter had not at the time risen to 231 c.i., and it is more probable that the ratio was that of water to wheat, the pound-pint ratio.

[28]. Curiously Lancashire still uses the Cheshire acre, and in some parts a pound of butter is a pound + the weight of 2 pennies, formerly the heavy Georgian ounce-pennies, now the lighter bronze coins.


CHAPTER IX
THE MINT-POUNDS

1. The Saxon or Tower Pound