The unit or standard measure of length and surface from which all other measures of extension shall be derived and ascertained, whether they be lineal, superficial, or solid, shall be the standard yard secured in accordance with the provisions of section 210.1. It shall be divided into three equal parts called feet, and each foot into twelve equal parts called inches, and for the measure of cloth and other commodities commonly sold by the yard it may be divided into halves, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths. The rod, pole, or perch shall contain five and one-half such yards, and the mile, one thousand seven hundred sixty such yards.