15 



A Cap, from Africa, made of plaited Grass. 



Chinese Money. These pieces have square holes 

 through them, and are always strung together. Se- 

 venty-six of them are the value of an English six- 

 pence. 



Rouge, used by the Chinese ladies to colour their 

 faces. 



Specimen of the Cloth made of Amianthus, a soft 

 species of Asbestos, that will remain in the hottest 

 fire without burning. Pliny mentions his having seen 

 napkins of this cloth, which being taken from the 

 table after a feast, were thrown into the fire, and by 

 that means were better cleansed than if they had been 

 washed in water. But its principal use, according to 

 that author, was for making shrouds for royal funerals, 

 to wrap up the corpse, so that the human ashes might 

 be preserved distinct from those of the wood. 



Asbestos, or Mineral Flax, in its natural state. 



Mica, or Talc, used for windows before the inven- 

 tion of glass. Clear white plates of this substance are 

 used for glazing the lanthorns of men of war, as fire 

 has little effect on it. 



