MISCELLANEA ETHNOGRAPHICA. 197 



from a double hook of crude iron, where the upper part of which passes through a 

 hole in the terminal hook of the beam. 



The weights used with these scales are cast in light brass or some other alloy. 

 They invariably take the form of an animal seated on a polygonal or oblong base. 

 The animal most commonly represented is the Chinese Mandarin Duck (Aix galeri- 

 culata) } which is not known to occur in the Shan States. The form is of course 

 conventionalized l , but can be distinguished without doubt in the larger weights ; in the 

 smaller ones, owing to difficulties of casting, it becomes degenerate (cf. figs, i, 2, 3 on 

 plate XIJII). Sometimes an entirely conventional lion takes the place of the duck 

 (see the figure of a specimen from Arrakan on the same plate, fig. 6). There are eight 

 weights in a complete set. They weigh respectively 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 3, 6, 11J oz. 

 and 1 lb. 13 oz. avoirdupois. 



The specimen of scales figured is of the size most commonly used in the Intha 

 markets, but smaller and larger ones can be obtained. In use scales of the type are 

 not held in the hand, but suspended either from the horizontal twig of a bamboo stuck 

 upright in the ground, or, very commonly, from a paddle either fixed vertically in a 

 slanting position, or tied across other paddles to form the framework of a temporary 

 bazaar-stall of mats. As most of the people come to the markets by boat, paddles are 

 much used for purposes of the kind. See the photograph reproduced on plate XLIV. 



Scales of the type are much used in weighing vegetables, tobacco, small quantities 

 of dried fish and prawns and, indeed, all the smaller objects of commerce not too 

 valuable to be weighed by goldsmith's scales. 1 They are as a rule very inaccurate 



No. 11117. Steelyard (PI. XLII, fig. 2 ; pi. XLIII, fig. 7)- 



Burmese [Intha) name. — Lee (li). 



Locality. — Fort Stedman, Southern Shan States. 



This is by far the most highly finished piece of apparatus in the collection. It is 

 a typical steelyard. 



The beam is of dark wood turned and polished, tapering towards one end, with 

 ornamental turning work at both ends and with the scale inlaid in white metal. It is 

 100 cm. long and its greatest diameter is 3*8 cm. The indicator is a flat iron rod 24 

 cm. long and 2 - 8 cm. broad at the point at which it issues from the beam. Its base 

 passes right through a slit in the beam and is held in position by a mass of some 

 resinous compound. Towards its upper end it tapers somewhat, but the tip is truncate. 

 Its greatest thickness is only 5 cm. This indicator is fixed in a wooden holder by 

 means of a nail-shaped iron pin that passes through both, and is welded into the iron 

 but allows free movement of the wood. Between the holder and the indicator there 

 are on either side several thin iron discs. The method by which the holder is sus- 

 pended is best shown in the figure. From one end of the beam hangs, at the end of a 

 short chain and a twisted iron rod, a large iron hook. The object to be weighed is 

 hung from this. 



l The bird is commonly said to be the Brahminy Duck (Casarca rutila). 



z These are Hot of local manufacture. They belong to the common Chinese type. 



