water measure

A measure formerly in use for articles brought by water, as coals, oysters, . The bushel used for this purpose was larger than the Winchester bushel by about three gallons. water-measurer, s. open water-bath. It consists usually of an oblong copper ve el, surrounded with a jacket of the same metal, the intervening space being nearly filled with water, which is kept continuously at the boiling point by means of a gas-burner placed under the apparatus. The steam generated in the interior is condensed by pa ing through a lengthened vertical pipe, by means of which the water again returns to the ve el. If it is desired to attain a heat rather over 100°, a little salt is di olved in the water contained in the apparatus. water-packer, s. Well - boring: A capon the top of a pipe to exclude surface-water. water-padda, s. (q. v.). water-melon, s. Bot.: Citrullus vulgar is (=Cucumis citrullus). The leaves are deeply lobed and gashed; the fruit large, round, with a spotted rind; cold, watery, pink or white flesh, and black seeds. It is cultivated in the United States, India, China, Japan, the Eastern Peninsula, Egypt, ., for its juice, which is cool and refreshing, but somewhat insipid. It is the melon of Scripture. [MELON, 2.] water-meter, s. 1. A contrivance for measuring the amount of water received or discharged through an orifice. There are numerous varieties. 2. An instrument for determining the amount of water evaporated in a given time, as from a steam boiler.