— 10-0 



When in 1430 Chêng Ho brought presents to different countries, 

 Lambri was one of them. 



According to the two last extracts , Lambri must have been situated on the 

 north-western corner of the island of Sumatra, on or near the spot of the present Achin : 

 we sée that it was bounded by the sea on the north and the west, and that the Indian 

 ocean was called after this insignificant place , because it was considered to begin there. 

 Moreover the small island at half a day's distance , called Hat-island , perfectly agrees 

 with the small islands Bras or Nasi, lying off Achin, and of which the former, with 

 its newly erected lighthouse, is a landmark for modern navigation, just what it is 

 said in our text to have been for the natives then. We venture to think that the 

 much discussed situation of Marco Polo's Lambri is definitely settled herewith. 



The last place mentioned on this coast is the 



Ambergris Island (*), 

 Hsing-ch'a Shêng-lan (1436). 



This island lias the appearance of a single moimtain and is situated 

 in the sea of Lambri, at a distance of one day and one night from Suma- 

 tra. It rises abruptly out of the sea, which breaks on it with high waves. 



Every spring numerous dragons come together to play on this island, 

 and they leave behind their spittle. The natives afterwards go in canoes to 

 the spot and collect this spittle, which they take with them. If they meet 

 with wind or a rough sea, they throw themselves into the water, and hold- 

 ing the boat with one hand and beating the water with the other, they 

 gain the shore. 



The dragon-spittle is at first like fat, of a black and yellow colour, and 

 with a flshy smell ; by length of time it contracts into large lumps and these 

 are also found in the belly of large fisli , of the size of the Chinese peck and 

 also with a fishy smell. When burnt it lias a pure and delicious fragrance. 



It is sold in the market of Sumatra, one tael official weight costing 

 twelve golden coins of that country and one cati 192 of such pieces, equal 

 to about 9000 Chinese copper cash, and so it is not very cheap. 



This must be Pulu Wai or some smaller island in its neighbourhood. 

 The western-coast of Sumatra has never been described in Chinese geograplucal 

 literature; it seems that no trade or intercourse was carried on with il. Where il is 



(') -gg j$E |I|M litt. the dragon -spittle Island. 



