Thus, 17 in the decimal scale would become 15 in the duodecimal; 144 in the decimal would become 100 in the duodecimal; and 1728, the cube of the new base, would of course be represented by the figures 1000.
It is impossible that any such change can ever meet with general or even partial favour, so firmly has the decimal scale become intrenched in its position.

But it is more than probable that a large part of the world of trade and commerce will continue to buy and sell by the dozen, the gross, or some multiple or fraction of the one or the other, as long as buying and selling shall continue.

Such has been its custom for centuries, and such will doubtless be its custom for centuries to come.

The duodecimal is not a natural scale in the same sense as are the quinary, the decimal, and the vigesimal; but it is a system which is called into being long after the complete development of one of the natural systems, solely because of the simple and familiar fractions into which its base is divided.

It is the scale of civilization, just as the three common scales are the scales of nature.