20

Logic II 20

would naturally be a tendency to the crystallization of
a heavier and a lighter norm.

As for my assumption that the departures of the
single weights from their virtual standards conform to
the probability curve, it was only adopted as a ready way
of imparting definiteness to the problem. Rich as is the
store of data given by Petrie, it is insufficient insufficient,
apparently, for determining the true law of these departures,
If the workmen were sufficiently skillful. (as I believe they
would be) these departures the departures would follow the
probability curve. But if they were unskillful, it would be
desirable to ascertain by what process the weights were made.
The weights, being of stone, are not loaded; so that the adjustment
was made by grinding, exclusively. Did the workman
then have a balance by his side, or did he finish the
weight by guess-work? In the latter case, inspection
(and some sort of inspection there must, in this case, have been)