17 
From my. somewhat extended experience with Chinese in various 
-parts of the neighbouring empire, as well as in Hong Kong, I know how 
‘little reliance is to be placed on information supplied by the ordinary 
-Chinaman in regard to plants. I would not withhold due acknowledg- 
ment of the usefulness of the natives in helping us to get at tru 
information, but their aid should only be regarded as collateral; the 
investigator should himself sift and verify everything of importance. 
As bearing on this subject, I would draw attention to a passage in Mr. 
Playfair’s letter of April 10th, 1885 (published in the Bulletin), where 
he says “it has been established as incontrovertible by Dr. Hance that 
the ginger plant never flowers.” I have no doubt that our late much 
lamented friend, Dr. Hance, may have been assured by the natives over 
-and over again that such was the case, but ave seen Zingi 
d 
character of the subjects alluded to contradicted my informants, but 
individual trees pointed out by them as never flowering have been known 
:to me to flower regularl 
these specimens yon will feel assured that the Alpinia rhizomes have 
not sufficien bla reser ginger either in appearanee or 
ut 
much reliance, as T have said, on the bare affirmation of natives, but we 
have the evidence of our own eyes to show that the Alpinia does not 
resemble preserved ginger. 
So far as I have been able to learn, preserved ginger is made at 
m 
-exported from Canton to Hong Kong was over 6,000 piculs (a picul is 
133 lbs.) Preserved ginger is manufactured in Hong Kong to a 
** understood by us is not made in Swatow. What is preserved there 
« is made for native consumption, to be used medicinally or for cooking, 
* and is exported largely to the Straits Settlements, and never to 
* Hong Kong. This kind of ginger is called Ng Mai Keung.” This, 
I understand, is an Alpinia, but it does not resemble the Canton ginger, 
and is, I believe, not preserved in syrup. ‘The rhizomes of true ginger, 
Alpinias and Curcumas are all classed generically by the Chinese 
under the name Keung. Alpinia Galanga, Willd., is Leung Keung ; 
Zingiber officinale, Linn., Taiyeuk Keung ; aud Curcuma (turmeric), 
Wong Keung; and so on with other species. Now, I think that the 
native name of Keung, and the fact that the preserved ginger under 
«consideration is not made at Swatow—which is 200 miles from Canton 
—will afford a probable explanation of some apparent mistake made 
when Mr. Playfair sent home what has been called “ Chinese Ginger,” 
U 69936. B 
