CONTRACTS FOR AREKA NUTS. 13 



it occasions a scarcity for the smaller ones ; in 

 this case, therefore, although the number of 

 vessels loaded is not so great, the quantity ex- 

 ported is pretty nearly the same.* 



The cargo sent on board the ship in which I 

 visited Pedir, came not from the Pedir district 

 alone, but was brought (by contracts entered 

 into by the rajah of Pedir, with the native mer- 

 chants of those places) from Gingham, Sawang, 

 Sec, and of course at an increased price. I 

 made inquiry, if a ship was brought next month, 

 (August,) whether they could load her with 

 Areka-nut, and what period of time they would 

 take to deliver six thousand peculs on board. The 

 reply was, that at this season a greater scarcity 

 of nut prevailed than usual, on account of in- 

 ternal wars drawing away the men, and causing 

 a scarcity of hands to collect and shell it ; my 

 informant, therefore, would not engage to de- 

 liver any next month, but the following May 

 would engage to supply the quantity of six 

 thousand peculs in a week, receiving dollars, 



* I have before stated, that the heat generated by a cargo 

 of the Areka-nut is excessive. I recollect the carpenter of 

 a ship, when desirous of bending some wood, placing it under 

 the main hatch, among the nuts ; in a few minutes it was 

 sufficiently steamed for its intended purpose ; after a fort- 

 night or three weeks the heat is materially moderated. 



