Sept. 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE EICE-PAPEE OF FORMOSA. 57 



dries straight. If too short to form the required breadth of paper, 

 several bits are inserted into a hollow bamboo, and, by rods inserted at 

 both ends of the bamboo, pressed together until dry. By this process 

 the short bits are forced to adhere together and form one long straight 

 piece of the required length. Thus paper of almost any size may be 

 procured. The knife used in paring the pith into paper is in shape not 

 unlike a butcher's chopper. It is well sharpened on a stone, and, when 

 not used, kept with the edge in a wooden groove held firm to it by two 

 strings round the wood and the knife. Before using it, the edge receives 

 a fresh touch upon a small block of wood, usually a piece of the timber 

 of Macliilus ramosa, shaped like a large hone. The block on which 

 the pith is cut consists of a smooth brick or burnt clay tile, with 

 a narrow piece of brass or a rim of paper pasted at each edge, on 

 which the knife is laid, and is consequently a little raised above the 

 tile itself. The block is laid flat on a table, and the dried pith rolled 

 on it with the fingers of the left hand, and then the knife laid on the 

 brass rims with its edge towards the pith, its handle being held by the 

 right hand. As the knife is advanced leftwards by the right hand, the 

 pith is rolled in the same direction, but more slowly, by the fingers of 

 the left. The paring thus goes on continuously until the inner pith, 

 about a quarter of an inch in diameter, is left, resembling somewhat the 

 vertebral column of a very small shark, and breaking into similar con- 

 cave-sided joints. This is used by the Chinese as an aperient medicine. 

 The paring produces a smooth continuous scroll about four feet long, 

 the first six inches of which are transversely grooved and cut off as 

 useless. The rest shows a fine white sheet. The sheets as they are cut 

 are placed one upon another, and pressed for some time, and then cut 

 into squares of the required size. The small squares made here are 

 usually dyed different colours, and manufactured into artificial flowers 

 for the adornment of the hair of the native ladies, and very excellent 

 imitations of flowers they make. The sheets most usually offered for 

 sale, plain and undyed, are about three inches and a quarter square, and 

 are sold in packets of one hundred each, at rather less than one penny 

 the packet, or a bundle of five packets for fourpence. The large-sized 

 paper is made to order, and is usually exported to Canton, whence the 

 grotesque but richly tinted rice-paintings have long attracted the 

 curiosity of the Europeans. Some of us tried our hands at paring, but 

 made most abortive attempts, producing only chips, though the opera- 

 tion looked so easy in the hands of the apprentice. The term of 

 apprenticeship to the trade is three years, during which time the man 

 receives no pay, but only board and lodging, from his master, and has 

 to give his services as general attendant besides to his employer. When 

 the three years are completed, the apprentice is required to work other 

 four months in place of paying premium. He then receives a certificate 

 of capability, and can either set up on his own account or demand 

 Avages for hire. 



