Page 410 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

114 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

Two sots of Katr Suratee miskal weights weighed by me were as follows, in English
* 12
2 miskal weights . 317
1 do. do. . 168* 160J
| do. do. . 70* 80*
* do. do. . 43 4 H
10 habbahs do. . 29 28*
9 do. do. . 26 26*
8 do. do. • 234 23*
7 do. do. . 201 20
| dauik do. . 20* 20
5 habbahs do. . 15* 151
4 do. do. . 13* 13|
3 do. do. . U* HI
2 do. do. • n 10
1 do. do. • n 5|
The corresponding masbad miskal weights of these two sets of Suratee weights were as
follows, in English grains
1 I__ 2
1 mashad miskal weight . 549 550
4 do. do. do. . 27SJ 2S0
4 do. do. do. . 138 141*
2 dauiks do. . 70* 71
1 do. do. do. . 36| 36
4 do. do. do. . 20* 20
Note.—The above weighments were made in a photographic dark room, free from
currents of air, with scales (not apothecaries') which showed clearly a difference of * grain, and
with weights selected from nine different sets of standard apothecaries' weights, so that any
combination of the selected ones would give the same result, for I found that in each set
some of the weights differed substantially from those of the sJtme denomination in other sets,
and that in no one set did the sum of all combinations of the lower weights equal their
equivalent larger weight, and pice vend.
From the above it will be seen that the actual weights used do not stand to the misbal,
or to each other, in the proportion they are nominally supposed to do, and as the “cliao" or
value measure of the quality of a pearl is calculated from its nominal weight, one of the
secrets of profitable pearl-dealing is to know which, and to be able to use without hesitation,
when weighing pearls which are being bargained for, those weights which will give the most
profitable results when converted into “ chao," viz., to buy with the highest and sell with the
lowest possible weights. For instance, it will be most profitable to the buyer to use, as much
as he may be allowed, the smaller denominational weights of the Bombay raiskal; also the
1, 2 habbah, * danik and one miskal weights when using the Katr Suratee weights.
For, supposing we have a pearl weighing 74 English grains and its weight by the Katr
standard be required, it would be weighed by the * miska 1 weight = 161 habbabs, and the
11! habbah weight and three grains of wheat — total 27 j bauualui — about 74 grains English
(by custom the largest denominational weights practicable should be used in a decreasing series
until the scales balance). But if the buyer would permit the seller to do 60, the latter might
weigh the same pearl against the $ miskal weight = 33 habbabs, and put into the scale
with the pearl a 1 habbah weight and 1 grain .of wheat = total 31* habbah = about 74
English grains; or if the seller would permit the buyer to do so, the latter might weigh
against it 15 one liabbah weights and 2 grains of wheat = total 15* habbahs = about *4
grains English.
9. In Major Durand's paper he has stated that one Bahrein l€ chao" = four Hindustani
*< chaothis means that the number of “ ebao " in the same pearl are four times more, when
calculated from its nominal weight according to the Bombay weights, and that therefore eao
Bahrein “chao" requires a four times greater value tabe assigned to it than that at which a
Bombay ° chao " for the same quality of pearl, is quoted. The approximate relative values