FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



On our way I noted with curiosity the method employed 

 by the natives to winnow the rice by hydraulic apparatus. 



XC 



B 



A X 



A beam of wood is i)ierced by a spindle at A', a trough is 

 hollowed at A, and the extremity B is the pestle. A stream 

 of water constantly fills the trough A, tipping the beam till the 

 trough empties itself and the pestle B falls. The irrigation 

 canals are much utilised to work these machines. Nam opened 

 his mouth with astonishment at the inventive genius of the 

 natives ; the Annamites had never seen them before. I remarked 

 to him that if this system were employed in his country the 

 Annamite women would have more spare time, and their deluded 

 husbands less peace, which he gravely admitted. 



To-day's stage brought us to a market where great animation 

 was manifested in the barter of iron - ore, vegetables, and oil 

 carried in hollow bamboos, against sugar, silk, drugs, rock-salt 

 retailed by the Chinese, and European articles. Of course there 

 was the inevitable gamble of " bacouan " ; and I was urged by 

 a stout worthy to look through a peep-hole, which was nothing 

 but a stereoscope surmounted by cymbals, and to try my luck. 

 I respectfully declined. Here again we noticed among the natives 

 yet another tribe, hitherto unmet with, whose characteristics were 

 slight figures, pale complexion, nose straight and prominent, 

 with thick lips and large straight-set eyes. Their costume too 

 was peculiar. It consisted of a black tunic gathered in by a 

 sash, and studded from top to bottom with a double row of 

 metal buttons. Round the neck was fastened a collar similarly 



adorned, and on their heads they wore a large black turban 



46 



