280 RAMBLES OP A NATURALIST [Ch. XVII. 



kept up a constant rattle of money and dice. All the avail- 

 able space between the mats was occupied by standing 

 spectators, who not unfrequently joiaed in or filled up the 

 places of those who left. 



There are several methods of gambliag employed, and 

 it is not easy for a mere bystander to catch the spirit 

 of the game ; but most of them are very simple. Thus, 

 for example, a board is produced with twelve squares, 

 and the stake is made on one of them ; if that square turns 

 up, the lucky depositor receives twelve times his stake. Or 

 there is another board, upon which are painted representa- 

 tions of 36 different animals : on one or more of these a 

 stake is made, a successful hit winning 36 times the stake. 

 A third method is as follows : — the keeper of the bank 

 takes up a handful of coiu, and a board is produced, divided 

 into four squares, marked respectively 1, 2, 3, 4, on either 

 of which a stake is made. The coins are then counted until 

 four, or less than four, are left. If there are just four, the 

 man who has staked on No. 4 square wins ; if two, No. 2 

 succeeds and gets the handful ; otherwise, the stake is for- 

 feited. 



But perhaps the most favourite game with the Chinese 

 is that called "Poh." This game is played with a single 

 die, and a small, solid brass box, in the upper part of which 

 is a square hole in which the die fits. Each face of the die 

 is half red and half white, and is inscribed with Chinese 

 letters. The die having been shaken by the banker in a red 

 bag, he takes it out, and, without looking at it, places it at 

 once in the box, and covers it with a brass Hd. Giving the 

 box a spin, the players stake their money upon the colour, 

 placing it on that side of the box on which they expect that 

 colour to be. If one betting on white places the money on 



