TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 149 



the site of Loudon. But all this space was not inhabited, there being immense fields 

 to supply tlie city with corn and pasture in case of siege. Dr. Oppert gave a brief 

 description of the cuneiform inscriptions, and the principle on which particular cha- 

 racters were chosen to represent particular objects and ideas. 



Notes 071 the late Arctic Expeditions. By Capt. Sherard Osborn, R.N. 



On Hartlepool Pier and Port as a Harbour of Refuge. 

 By Sir B. F. Outram, M.D., C.B., F.R.S. 



Notes on the Hindu- Chinese Nations and Siamese Rivers, ivith an Account 

 of Sir John Bowring's Mission to Siam. By Harry Parkes, H.M. 

 Consul, Amoy, China. 



The author states that the population of Birma, Siam, and Cochin-China,had formerly 

 been considerably over-estimated. The population of Birma was about five millions, 

 that of Siam six millions, and tliat of Cochin-China thirteen millions. This would 

 give to Birma and Siam a population of twenty-three to the square mile; but when 

 due allowance was made for the extent of the jungles, and other land incapable of 

 habitation, this scale would not appear low. Cochiu-China has a greater population 

 on account of its greater fertility, industry, and enterprise. The products of these 

 countries were generally the same, — rice, cotton, bees'-wax, and various metals. 

 Siam had the greatest resources, and must receive the preference as a commercial 

 nation ; for though Cochhi-China had gold and other precious metals, it was deficient 

 in staple commodities. The IVlalayese were subjected to Siam, but only gave tribute 

 when Siam was in a condition to enforce it. As a distinct language, it was consi- 

 dered by the best scholars that Siamese could not have existed for more than four 

 centuries at the most ; their sacred writings were still in the Camboja character, and 

 the language of the chiefs had many Camboja words, they being descended from that 

 people, who appeared to have subjected the Siamese. The dress of the Siamese was 

 very picturesque, and the mountaineers, like tlie mountaineers of Scotland and other 

 countries, wore dresses of a plaid pattern. With reference to Sir John Bowring's 

 mission, Mr. Parkes stated that it was rendered necessary in consequence of the 

 monopolies, restrictions, and impediments placed on our trade by the last king of 

 Siam. In 1826 the British obtained permission to trade in Siam, but the treaty was 

 not observed during the last reign. The present king came to the throne in 1851, 

 and Sir John Bowring visited him in April of this year, and met with a very friendly 

 reception. Mr. Parkes then described the advantages of the treaty concluded. 

 Instead of the very restrictive duties formerly imposed, there was now to be an import 

 duty of three per cent., payable either in money or in kind, and permission was given 

 to the British to purchase houses and lands, and even build ships in their rivers. 

 And in accordance with the memorial sent to the British Government from Glasgow 

 and other places. Sir John Bowring arranged that a consul be appointed to take 

 British interests under his charge, on the same principle which obtains in the Levant 

 and China. The prospects of commerce with Siam were very hopeful. The Siamese 

 were not a manufacturing people, and would be ready to take manufactures in return 

 for their produce. In 1840, the value of our trade with Siam was about half a 

 million, and there was reason to hope that in ten years hence it might amount to 

 1^4,000,000 or £5,000,000. Their rice was perhaps the best in the world, and the 

 cultivation of this crop might be extended to almost any amount. Mr. Parkes 

 exhibited several of their books, which consisted of prepared leaves tied together, and 

 specimens of native hemp, the wood of the gamboge tree, gamboge in its rough 

 manufactured state, and specimens of their hardvvare, cutlery, and domestic utensils. 

 With regard to their physiological characteristics, they were described to be 5 ft. 2 in. 

 in height, being shorter than the Chinese and taller than the Malays. Their beards 

 were plucked out by the roots, the hair was shaved from the back of their heads, 

 leaving a tuft on the front of the head, which being with both sexes kept cut to the 

 length of an inch, presented very much the appearance of a blacking-brush. The 

 teeth of both sexes were dyed of a deep black colour, and their mouths were conti- 



