OBSERVATIONS ON THE RICE-PAPER TREE. 315 
long, and with a straight stick inserted at one end and hammered on the 
ground, the pith is forced out with a jump at the other end. The pith is then 
inserted into straight hollow bamboos, where it swells and dries straight. If 
- too short to form the required breadth of paper, several bits are inserted into 
a hollow bamboo, and, by rods inserted at both open ends of the bamboo, 
pressed together until dry. By this process the short. bits are forced to adhere 
r is in shape not unlike a butcher’s chopper. It is well sharpened on a 
stone, and when not used, kept with the edge in a wooden groove held firm 
to it by two strings round the wood and the knife. Before using it, the edge 
receives a fresh touch up on a small block of wood, usually a piece of the tim- 
ber of Machilus ramosa, shaped like a large hone. The block on which the 
pith is cut consists of a smooth brick or burnt-clay tile, with a narrow piece of 
on a rim of paper pasted at each edge, on which the knife is laid, and is 
consequently a little raised above the bare tile itself. The block is laid flat on 
a table, and the dried pith rolled on it with the fingers of the left hand, and 
then the knife laid on the brass rims with its edge towards the pith, its handle 
being held by the right hand. As the knife is advanced leftwards by the right. 
hand, the pith is rolled i in the same direction, but more slowly, by the fingers 
column ofa very small shark, and breaking into similar concave-sided joints. 
This is used by the Chinese as an aperient medicine. The paring produces 
a smooth continuous scroll about four feet long, the first six inches of which 
are transversely grooved and cut off as useless. The rest shows a fine white 
sheet. The sheets, as they are cut, are placed one upon another and pressed 
for some time, and then eut into squares of the required size. The small 
squares made here are usually dyed different colours, and manufactured into 
artificial flowers for the adornment of the hair of the native ladies ; and very 
excellent imitations of flowers they make. The sheets most usually offered 
for sale, plain and undyed, are about three inches and a quarter square, and 
are sold in packets of one hundred each, at a less than one penny the 
packet, or a bundle of five packets for fourpence. The larger-sized paper is 
attempts, Spee tend chips, though the operation looked so easy in the 
hands of the apprentice. The term of apprenticeship to the trade is three 
years, es which time the man receives no pay, but only board and lodging 
from his master, and has to give his services as general attendant besides to 
his employer. When the three years are completed, the apprentice is required 
to work other four months, in place of paying premium. He then receives a 
certificate of — and can either set up on his own account or demand 
wages for hire. 
rs 
