219 



Of the diplomas we have already given engravings and descriptions on pp. 27—32 The 

 Huag-cash (see the cut) are round with a square hole in the middle. They are made of eopper 

 . bear the mscription Hung-ying-thung-pao , „uurren t coin of the Hung-heroes." 



They are called Hung-caü ('gfc |j) or the Capital (jjfc jg), 

 (ijZ? r—i^^S^ To each krother tliree of these °ash are given and, sometimes, they are 

 L*f^| llffif 1 printed on the diploma. (Comp. p. 31). 



The red floss-thread is, according to the missionary Röttger, a reed, nine inches lon°-, wound 

 round with red silk. 



This appears to be confirmed by these following quatrains, which we find in the copies 

 of the handbook. 



This badge is named //the silk-thread" ( l ) or //the red floss-thread." ( 2 ) 



I. 



The variegated red floss reaches Chang-sha ( 3 )- 

 In short Chang-ngan ( 4 ) will be our home. 

 Manifestly we lead the thread through all the world; 

 Every where the strawberry has the same flower. ( 5 ) 



I Ê" H I I | I? 



^ ^ it & & n m 

 & w 5i » m. m m 



M Êl 18 ftf — % tt 



II. 



The red floss is wound around the wooden foot-measure ; 

 When the five founders distributed it, it was red. 

 Come with one heart and united forces to worship — 

 We'11 speak about the circumstances ; being of one clan. 



*r m m # * r * 

 & ia » m & 



c 1 ) M m ^ 



( 3 ) A town in Hu-kwang, 28°12' Lat. 110°26'57' Longit. 



( 4 ) Formerly the capital of China, now to be taken in the sense of Peking as the present capita 1 



( 5 ) The Tang-mui is a kind of Myrica: its flowers are red, as the silk wound around the reed. 



