Mr. Barré again aſſumes firſt, that there was the ſame difference between the σπιθαμὴ and the παλαιϛὴ, as there was between the cubit and the foot; namely, that they were each to the other as three to two; and again, that the σπιθαμὴ was equal to four Roman digits only, or a quarter of a foot. Now as he ſuppoſes the σπιθαμὴ to have been equal to the palmus, which was four Roman digits alſo, it follows that four ſpithames, which, according to his computation, are equal to ſix paleſtes, would be equal to the Greek cubit; and as each ſpithame was equal to the palmus, it followed that the Greek cubit would be equal to the Roman foot. But the length he aſſigns to the ſpithame can by no means be admitted. The δῶρον and the παλαιϛὴ were only different names[1] for the ſame thing. The word didoron, we are told by Vitruvius[2], implied half a foot; and we learn from Hero[3], that the δῶρον was the third part of the σπιθαμή.
This is agreeable to what might be expected from the derivation of the terms. The breadth of the four fingers of a man's hand of moderate ſize is about three inches, or four Roman digits; and the extent of the fingers when it ſtretched out, as above deſcribed, is nearly nine inches, or twelve Roman digits, agreeable to the proportion above laid down.
It appears alſo, that, where accuracy of length is to be ſpecified, the Romana tranſlated the Greek word πῆχυς by the Latin word cubitus. Thus Herodotus [4], deſcribing the cell wherein the body of Oreites was depoſited, fays, that both that and the body were
