84 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



levers, which, as it revolves, elevate a number of pestles, by catching under projections upon 

 them; as these fall, they beat the grain, operating as in our old oil-mills. From time to time, 

 as the beating proceeds, a pestle is thrown out of gear, and the grain is taken from the mortars, 

 to be passed through a small fan or winnowing machine. It is again placed in the mortar, 

 and this process is repeated as often as necessary, until it is thoroughly cleaned. The fan is 

 very small, not being more than eighteen inches or two feet in length, and the same in height, 

 and about six to nine inches in width. The barley, however, is neatly cleaned, and passes out 

 into a bag at one side of the machine. Our expedition took out some of the best modern wheat- 

 fans, as presents ; but it is a fact, I believe, that we derived them originally from the east — China 

 in particular. What an interval and what progress between the primitive and the developed 

 manifestation of this implement ! We also took out an improved cotton-gin, but we found 

 domestic ones already in use. These, as I was informed by those who saw them, operated by 

 smooth cylinders ; and as the cotton was drawn through between them, the seed fell to one 

 side, and the staple came out unbroken. A similar machine may have been tried in our own 

 country. 



There are several of the above mills in the neighborhood of Simoda, and, when the squadron 

 arrived there, there was quite a large one in process of construction, with its race finished. But 

 our treaty had a material influence upon it, causing the frame to be quickly taken down, and 

 the race to be filled. 



Eice is hulled after the manner of hummelling barley ; of rice, there are many varieties grown. 

 These are of every shade of color, from light yellow to red and brown, and black or deep purple. 

 In a walk of half a mile, about the last of September, I have gathered samples of ten or fifteen 

 shades, or upwards ; and these grow, each to itself, of one uniform color, in separate lots or 

 parcels, and not intermixed — thus indicating distinct varieties. Another difference is in the 

 rice being awned or awnless ; and this without reference to color, some of either being appa- 

 rently of every shade; whether difference of color, depending upon the external covering, indi- 

 cates any difference in the grain within, I am unable to state. But there are two kinds of pre- 

 pared rice exhibited for sale — one, white, as with us; another, reddish or brownish, apparently 

 dependent upon a film or membrane left upon the grain after the removal of the hull. The 

 former was not noticed as having any peculiarity of flavor or otherwise, whereas the latter was 

 unlike anything we had met with before. After boiling, it was somewhat adhesive, glutinous, 

 as it were — not starchy; and in taste it was compared by some to grits, by others to barley, 

 and was by many preferred to the other. It seemed to me that this would be more nutritious 

 than ordinary rice; but it may be that all rice would possess the above properties if prepared 

 in the same manner — i. e. by leaving the before-mentioned pellicle upon it. 



In regard to its culture, little need be said after the details given for Lew Chew and China. 

 The use of irrigation, together with grading of ground, the opening of drains for transmitting 

 water to all parts of the plains, the transplanting from seed-beds, &c, being similar in all. By 

 the way, it is sown broadcast in seed-beds, which are covered by shallow water, and the seed 

 may be seen lying upon the earth, through this water. When drawn, the plants are floated by 

 the drains to the place of planting. In preparing for this, a plough is used, the structure of 

 which may be mentioned. Upon a beam to draw by, a large piece of wood is mortised very 

 obliquely, so as to project well under the beam. This piece is scooped out upon one side with 

 a long slope, forming a rude mould-board, and the point is shod with iron, as a share. The 

 plough is drawn by a bullock or a horse, which is driven by one man, while the plough is 



