lowed by a long period of
contracted circulation throughout the rest of the year. Under the
existing system the fluctuating requirements of the currency are met
without the expense of alternately minting and melting down.

_Weights and Measures._--The metrical system of weights and measures
is in official but not in popular use, except in the foreign quarters
of Cairo, Alexandria, &c. The most common Egyptian measures are the
_fitr_, or space measured by the extension of the thumb and first
finger; the _shibr_, or span; and the cubit (of three kinds = 22-2/3,
25 and 26-1/2 in.). The measure of land is the _feddan_, equal to 1.03
acres, subdivided into 24 _kirats_. The _ardeb_ is equal to about 5
bushels, and is divided into 6 _waybas_, and each _wayba_ into 24
_rubas_. The _okieh_ equals 1.32 oz., the _rotl_ .99 lb., the _oke_
2.75 lb., the _kantar_ (or 100 _rotls_ or 36 _okes_) 99.04 lb.

_Constitution and Administration._--Egypt is a tributary state of the
Turkish empire, and is ruled by an hereditary prince with the style of
khedive, a Persian title regarded as the equivalent of king. The
succession to the throne is by primogeniture. The central administration
is carried on by a council of ministers, appointed by the khedive, one
of whom acts as prime minister. To these is added a British financial
adviser, who attends all meetings of the council of ministers, but has
not a vote; on the other hand, no financial decision may be taken
without his consent. The ministries are those of the interior, finance,
public works, justice, war, foreign affairs and public instruction,[4]
and in each of these are prepared the drafts of decrees, which are then
submitted to the council of ministers for approval, and on being signed
by the khedive become law. No important decision, however, has been
taken since 1882 without the concurrence of the British minister
plenipotentiary. With a few exceptions, laws cannot, owing to the
Capitulations, be enforced against foreigners except with the consent of
the powers.

While the council of ministers with the khedive forms the legislative
authority, there are various representative bodies with strictly limited
powers. The legislative council is a consultative body, partly elective,
partly nominative. It examines the budget and all proposed
administrative laws, but cannot initiate legislation, nor is the
government bound to adopt its suggestions. The general assembly