  Starting with a `bare' 4-dimensional differential manifold as a model of
spacetime, we discuss the options one has for defining a volume element which
can be used for physical theories. We show that one has to prescribe a scalar
density \sigma. Whereas conventionally \sqrt{|\det g_{ij}|} is used for that
purpose, with g_{ij} as the components of the metric, we point out other
possibilities, namely \sigma as a `dilaton' field or as a derived quantity from
either a linear connection or a quartet of scalar fields, as suggested by
Guendelman and Kaganovich.
