CASE XLVII.

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.

779. Ornamental stand, with gilt Buddha.

780. Small metallic vase, inlaid with silver.

781. Small copper box, of peculiar shape, to contain the lime which is used for chewing with the nut of the areca palm, areca catechu,

and the betel leaf, piper betel, used as a masticatory so universally throughout the East.

The habit of chewing this preparation has extended from the islands, where the plant is found, to the continent of Asia, and is now used from the Red Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Most of that imported into China comes from Java, Malacca, and Penang. The areca nut is the fruit of a slender palm, not over six inches in diameter, and thirty feet high. The nut resembles a nutmeg in shape, colour, and internal structure, but is a little harder and larger, and is called betel nut from its being always eaten in combination with the leaf of the betel pepper. The flavour of the leaf is very peculiar, having an aromatic taste, and is a little pungent. This vine requires a rich soil, and an abundance of water. The tree on which it is supported, it is affirmed, affects the quality and quantity of the produce. The preparation of the betel nut for use is very simple. The nut is cut into slices, and wrapped in the raw leaves, together with a quantity of quick-lime, composed of the shells of small molluscæ carefully calcined for this purpose, enough to give it a flavour; to the latter is added a mixture of a red colour. All classes of people, male and female, are in the habit of chewing it. "It sweetens the breath," so say those who use it; "it rectifies and strengthens the stomach, and preserves the teeth:" it gives the teeth, lips, and gums, a dark red colour, which is esteemed a mark of beauty in proportion to its deeper shade. Persons of rank carry it prepared for use in splendid cases, suspended from their girdles. A present of one of these cases is esteemed a mark of high favour and friendship, and is valued accordingly. Poor people are contented with cases of simple construction, provided they contain the substance itself. In the streets and thoroughfares of Canton, temporary stalls are erected for the sale of this luxury, and the wayfarer may be refreshed, in the outlay of a single cash, by a modicum of this preparation.

782. A grotesque lion (on a stand) of white porcelain. This kind of porcelain is held in higher esteem by the Chinese than any other. As a proof of this, it may be stated that the value of this small lion in China was about four pounds sterling.

783. Vessel of white porcelain, for holding sweet-scented flowers, representing a grotesque animal, the head of which is so formed that it can be taken off. The flowers are placed in the body, and the odour is exhaled through the mouth.

784. Figure of a camel, in white porcelain, with a dog on his back. 785. Paper weight, of hard stone, sculptured.

786. Metallic pipe, from the province of Keang Nan; the lower part of which is filled with water, and smoked on the principle of the hookah of Bengal, &c.; tobacco being used cut into very fine shreds, and the pipe filled at every inhalation by a servant, who stands behind the smoker.

787 & 788. Two curiously carved roots.

789. Specimen of beautifully embossed lacquered ware, from Soochow. 790. A grotesque porcelain dog.

791. Broad rings of jade stone (yu) worn upon the thumb by archers in using the bow, to prevent chafing. The value of these stone rings depends upon their colour; as much as five hundred dollars has been given by a Chinese for one of a peculiar shade.

792. Combs with maxims.

793. Small cases of coloured horse-hair, intended to hold sweet-scented flowers, and carried in the hand.

794. Brush used by printers to apply the ink to the wooden blocks; on which is a smaller brush, made of vegetable fibres, and used for various purposes.

795. Small boxes of stained wood, opening with a spring, and covered with coloured straw, made at Fuh-chow, the capital of Fuh-këen province.

796. Brushes used by house-painters, with the hair inserted deep into the handles. When worn down, the wood is cut away to expose

the bristles, and the operation is repeated until the brush is

worn out.

797. Small pillows, used by the Chinese when reclining on any hard

800. Writing pencils. The better kinds are protected by a brass case, it being essential to have a fine point in writing.

801. A grotesque porcelain unicorn.

802. Elaborate piece of carving from the root of the bamboo, of very extravagant device.

803. Small marble vase, formed from the cup of the flower of the

lotus.

804. Embroidered pocket, worn by gentlemen.

305. Silk bags, for tobacco, having a maxim embroidered on the side, and attached to the pipe.

806. A tea service of novel construction used by government officers, and forming part of their travelling apparatus. The cups and saucers are of hard wood, lined and edged with white copper. 807. Chinese ivory puzzle.

808. Chinese gaming cards. They are of various sorts; the most ancient and elegant are called "Teen-tsze-pae," "dotted cards."

The dots have a reference to the stars. They were introduced by the Emperor Seuen-ho; and were originally called "Ya pae," "bone or ivory tickets."

809. A Chinese printed book of maxims.

810. Beautiful beads, turned from fragments of the malachite, or green copper ore, found near Nankin; they are used in necklaces for mandarins.

811. Rosary made of the seed vessels of a plant.

812. An article made of copper, and used for the same purpose as our flat-irons. The smooth surface is here exhibited; the body is hollow, and receives the ignited coals.

813. Gentlemen's embroidered memorandum case.

814. Gentlemen's embroidered pockets.

815. Embroidered spectacle case.

816. Leather purses used by the lower classes.

817. Leather (dog's skin) tobacco pouch.

818. Painting brush, composed of dyed horse-hair.

819. A basket ingeniously worked in bamboo.

820. Ornamental stand with odoriferous matches, which are burned in the houses of the Chinese day and night, and in sacrificing to their divinities.

821. A brown porcelain incense vessel.

822. Model of a machine for pounding rice, sugar, &c. It is put in operation by a coolie standing on the frame, and moving the

lever with one foot.

823 & 824. Earthern vessel in frame work of bamboo, used as handfurnaces at Canton, and in the northern part of China, during cold weather, called "Ho-lung."

825. Model of a hand mill for grinding rice, &c.

826. A porcelain drum, used as a rest for the arm. 827. Mosquito brushes.

CASE XLVIII.

SPECIMENS OF FINE CARVING, &c.

828. Coral bead necklace, worn by mandarins and gentlemen of rank. 829. Beautiful carved ornamental stand of hard wood with a marble image of Buddha in the centre, inlaid metallic tripod on the right, and a dormant lion on the left.

830. Curiously distorted root, which, by the assistance of a little art, has the appearance of a bird.

831. Curious piece of sculpture, representing a bird attacked by a monster of the lizard species.

832. Marble figure and stand.

833. Marble pencil-rests.

834 & 835. A pair of ornamental barrel-shaped stands, the left hand one supporting a metallic censer; that on the right a vessel with shovel, &c., for arranging the ashes of the odoriferous matches. 836. An ornamental stand, on which is a superb carving, from the root of a bamboo tree, representing a grotesque figure feeding a frog. 837. A small root of a tree on a stand, resembling a deer. 838. A travelling apparatus, containing a knife, and pair of chop sticks, with which every gentleman is provided.

839. Carved wooden figure and stand.

840. A very ancient white porcelain bottle-shaped vase, ornamented with a lizard, water lilies, and foliage, on a small stand of carved polished wood.

841. Ancient metallic idol.

842. Curiously sculptured stone pencil-rests.

843. An ornamental stand, with bronze idols.

This specimen is supposed to be a thousand years old. It has been elsewhere remarked that Buddhism was introduced into China from India, about the first century of the Christian era; and the idols here exhibited are thought to have been of a very early importation into that country.

844. "Joo-ee," a sort of staff or sceptre.

It is thus described by Mr. Davis :-this ornament, which has sometimes, for want of a better name, been called a sceptre, is, in fact, an emblem of amity and good-will, of a shape less bent that the letter S, about eighteen inches in length, and cut from the jade or yu stone. It is called "joo-ee," as you wish," or as the phrase is, “Sze Sze, joo-ee," i. e., "Everything according to your wish," an expression of good feeling towards a person, and is simply exchanged as a costly mark of friendship; but that it had a religious origin seems indicated by the

sacred flower of the lotus (nymphæa nelumbo) being generally carved on the superior end. Dr. Morrison also remarks that joo-ees were carried in the hands by ancient governors or princes of state, as the signal of authority; the Emperor gave them as a badge or seal of his appointment. They are frequently of great value.

845 & 846. Ornamental stands, on which are carvings from the root of the bamboo.

847. Ornamental stand, with ancient bronze lion.

848. Curious root on stand, exhibiting a bird.

849. Very ancient sculptured dog.

850. Polished cornelian in carved frame, intended to support a cake of ink. 851 to 855. Five beautiful carvings on stands.

856 & 857. Two carved and polished barrel-shaped stands, on which are very ancient and grotesque bronze lions.

858. Metallic figure, representing a female divinity on a recumbent elephant.

859 & 860. A pair of very beautiful ornamental stands, with marble tops, on which are grotesque sculptured figures, and elegantly wrought baskets of bamboo.

861. Onamental stand, with variegated marble top, on which is placed a stone on a frame formed from the root of a tree. This is covered with sculptured hieroglyphics, and is held by the Chinese in religious veneration.

CASES XLIX & L.

CONCHOLOGY.

THESE cases, with the opposite (XXIII. & XXIV.), are filled with numerous labelled specimens of conchology.