MDMD(11): Tons of Cheese.

[Paul Mackin]

Didn't know there was a metric ton but it figures if there was one it would
be approximate the same weight as an English ton--2000 pounds Actually that
would be a short English ton. There is also a long ton--2240 pounds (I
think).

Big cheese.


        P.

-- Original Message -----
From: "Michel Ryckx" <michel.ryckx at freebel.net>
To: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 2:32 PM
Subject: MDMD(11): Tons of Cheese.


> Having trouble in catching up the readings, here's  a question on
> Chapter 16.
>
> The Gloucester cheese in its Quincentenariduodecimal format is
> "running to nearly four tons in weight". (M&D, 167.17-18)
>
> A ton, nowadays, being 1,000 kilos,  is mentioned a few decades before
> the decimal system was developed and introduced in France and on the old
> continent.  Or, being aware there were many local varieties of weighing
> at the time, it may be used in order to denominate another weight.  But
> which?
>
> It cannot be a Mystake, can it?
>
> Michel.
>
>
>
>
>
>