ON SIAMESE LITERATURE. 337 



Len Plda Kat is a very fanciful kind of amusement — being neither 

 more nor less than 2ijish fight. The plaa kat is a fish which grows to two 

 or three inches in length at the utmost. It is found in shallow rivulets and is 

 sought after with great avidity. The males are selected and kept separately 

 in bottles. Bets are laid and two of these bitter enemies are slipped 

 into a large bottle where they generally fight until one is killed or 

 disabled. 



This game is discountenanced by the king as contrary to the principles 

 of the Buddhist religion, which enjoins humanity. But the customs of 

 barbarous nations are often at variance with the creed they most vehement- 

 ly contend for. The Chinese also keep a species of fish called by them 

 Sampan or ho Sampan for the purpose of fighting them. This fish (the 

 Ikan puyu of Malaysj is about a span in length and it fights with much 

 vigor and bitterness. The Chinese lay large bets on the issue of a battle 

 of this kind. The Puyu seems a diminutive species of perch. 



Chon nok nok, are fights of various kinds of birds. 



Cock-fighting, or L,en chon kai, is generally prohibited but is never- 

 theless practised secretly. They do not arm the bird like the Malays. 



The Siamese have borrowed many juggling feats from the Hindoos 

 and Chinese, but they have a great aversion to snakes. So much so that 

 at the sight of one some Siamese will appear affected, as if by hysterics, and 

 consequently they do not introduce them into their exhibitions. The Mons 

 or Peguers, teach snakes to move to the sound of a flute in the manner 

 of the tame snakes of Indian jugglers. 



Len chok moei, or boxing matches, are common at all great festivals 

 and entertainments. They are often very bloody, and would frequently 

 end in the death of one or both of the parties, did not the king, or other 

 great man present, stop the battle before it becomes dangerous. They 

 arm their hands with hard cord, which is warped round them. The 

 Hindoos use the same, and also arm their fingers and knuckles with horn 

 or silver knobs. They strike straight forward or in any manner most 



