234 



RICE-PAPER PLANT. 



Chap. XL 



export. Mr. Bowring, who read a paper upon the 

 rice-paper plant, before the China branch of the 

 Eoyal Asiatic Society, informs ns that the Canton 

 and Fokien provinces are the chief consumers, 

 and that the town of Foo-chow alone is supposed 

 to take annually not less than 30,000 dollars worth 

 of this curious and beautiful production. The 

 cheapness of this paper in the Chinese market, as 

 Mr. Bowring justly remarks, is evidence of the 

 abundance of the plant in its place of growth, and 

 more especially of the cheapness of labour. " That 

 100 sheets of this material (each about three 

 inches square), certainly one of the most beautiful 

 and delicate substances with which we are ac- 

 quainted, should be procurable for the small sum 

 of lid. or lid., is truly astonishing ; and when 

 once the attention of foreigners is directed to it, it 

 will doubtless be in considerable request among 

 workers in artificial flowers in Europe and America, 

 being admirably adapted to their wants." The 

 larger sheets, such as those used by the Canton 

 flower-painters, are sold for about lid. each. 



If the Tung-tsaou proves hardy in England, its 

 fine foliage will render it a favourite amongst 

 ornamental plants in our gardens. Judging, how- 

 ever, from its appearance when growing on its 

 native island, and from the temperature of For- 

 mosa, I fear we cannot expect it to be more than a 

 greenhouse plant with us. 



Before I left China it had been completely 

 naturalised on the island of Hong-kong. A noble 



