82 WANT OF MECHANICAL SKILL. [1843 



frequently, in simple cerements only. The better classes 

 erect stone tombs, surmounted by piles of loose stones, 

 and, in one instance, at Pa-tchung-san, we noticed a very 

 extensive plastered mausoleum. In most cases they 

 appear to select the more picturesque and secluded spots, 

 overshadowed by trees. Oblations, much in the style of 

 the Chinese, particularly of flowers and water in the 

 Clam shell, are offered at the tombs, for the solace and 

 refreshment of the departed on their weary pilgrimage. 

 In examining these tombs, or disturbing their contents, 

 I was at first particularly cautious, but I soon found that 

 they were not so sensitive on this point as the Chinese ; 

 and as the elevations of their tombs offered, in many 

 instances, good stations for surveying, I found that they 

 did not hesitate an instant in making apertures to receive 

 the marks, which, indeed, they generally erected for us. 



Of their mechanical abilities but very little can be 

 adduced, indeed they appear to be far behind the most 

 ignorant of the eastern islanders in this respect ; not- 

 withstanding they are known to be in possession of the 

 customary Chinese tools, they do not exhibit, excepting 

 in fitting their houses, any skill beyond that of providing 

 shelter. They weave a very coarse kind of cloth for 

 home purposes, with frame and shuttle, and manufacture 

 very indifferent nets and fishing gear. They do not make 

 the most of the advantages afforded by their proximity 

 to the sea ; their canoes are of wretched construction, 

 and, excepting a few stragglers occasionally noticed at 

 low tides in quest of Mollmca, they never appeared to 

 follow fishing as an occupation ; sustaining themselves 

 almost entirely by agricultural industry. 



