486 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



willingness to enter into a contract are sent down to Calcutta at the 

 expense of the colony. 



On arrival in Calcutta they are provided with free food and quar- 

 ters at the emigration depot until such time as a sufficient number, 

 are assembled to form a full passenger list for a transport. During 

 the period of waiting, which may extend to several weeks, a careful 

 medical inspection of the laborers is made, and all those who may 

 be deemed unfit for the work of the estates are sent back to their 

 homes at the expense of the colony. Prior to embarkation the 

 coolies are called up in batches of fifteen or twenty, and the emigra- 

 tion agent or a local magistrate reads over to them in their own lan- 

 guage the terms of the indenture. Each one is then given an inden- 

 ture ticket on which the terms of indenture are printed in three 

 dialects. The agent general affixes his signature to each ticket; and 

 a special provision in the laws of British Guiana makes his signature 

 binding on the planters who employ the coolies. The ticket thus con- 

 stitutes a contract valid as against either party in the courts of the 

 colony. 



The coolies have the right to carry with them any children they 

 may wish, and those under twelve years of age are exempt from in- 

 denture. The transportation is effected in sailing vessels, which are 

 for the time being Government transports. The reason why steamers 

 are not employed is that sailing vessels are found to be much 

 healthier, and that the long sea voyage has an excellent effect on the 

 immigrants. The regulations governing the voyage are very strict. 

 As far as the coolies are concerned, the ship is in charge of a medical 

 officer. The captain of the ship, the officers, and the crew are all 

 under the command of the doctor, except in so far as the actual 

 sailing of the vessel is in question. The vessel has ample hospital 

 accommodation, a complete dispensary in charge of a qualified dis- 

 penser, and all the arrangements must be passed by a Government 

 inspector before the ship is given her clearance. The food to be 

 furnished during the voyage is specified by law. The bill of fare 

 consists chiefly of bread, butter, rice, curry, sago, condensed milk, 

 and fresh mutton, a number of sheep being carried on the ship. 



Every morning and evening the doctor makes an inspection of 

 the vessel, and enters in his log-book all essential details, such as 

 births, deaths, cases treated in the hospital, and so forth. 



On arrival in the colony the coolies are allotted to the different 

 estates. The coolie is bound to remain for five years on the planta- 

 tion to which he is allotted, and to work during that time five days a 

 week, the day's work being seven hours. In return for this the 

 planter must furnish him with a house free of rent, and built in 

 such a way as to meet the requirements of the inspector of immi- 



