40 



THE LIU-KIU ISLANDS. 



[chap. 



This is the main design, l3ut the taste or wealth of the individual 

 constructing- them will in many cases lead to considerable elabora- 

 tion. We had not the good fortune to see the ceremony of burial 

 during our visit, but we were told that the corpse was placed 

 within the vault and left for a period of seven years. The bones 

 are then collected and placed in urns. In the event of an indi- 

 vidual or family being unalile to afford the construction of one of 





TOMB iS'EAR NAPHA. 



these somewhat costly edifices, it appears that they join with 

 others and share the expense. The poorest classes in Napha are 

 interred in vaults cut in the sea cliffs. After burial it is the 

 custom, as in China, to place cups of rice-spirit and various dishes 

 by the side of the deceased. These are afterwards removed and 

 eaten. A lai-ge collection of rock-hewn tombs were discovered in 

 the middle of the island during the visit of Commodore Perry's 

 expedition, evidently of great antiquity, and similar to those 

 found in Egypt and Syria ; and from their appearance and certain 



