ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



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sandal is not mixed with it, which, when cut, has neither scent nor colour; 

 it is a species of citron wood, and being in large pieces, it more frequently 

 happens that the larger logs are changed than the smaller ones ; and you are 

 liahle to the same imposition in sending it from the ship to Canton, unless a 

 very sharp look-out is kept in the boats. 



The tonnage of sandal wood is generally computed by weight, allowing 

 20 Cwt to a ton ; but the measurement, even when piled up carefully, 

 far exceeds the weight. 



Oil or Sakdax. Wood is prepared from the chips and waste of the 

 wood, and is sometimes to be procured of a very superior kind, nearly equal 

 to the Turkey oil of roses, and very different from the common sort usually 

 met with in Iudia. The best is about the consistence of castor oil, of a 

 lightish yellow colour, and of a high and fragrant smell; it sinks in water, 

 readily dissolves in spirits of wine, and does not congeal except in cold 

 weather. That which is thick, glutinous, and dark coloured, should be 

 rejected. 



Sesamum. — This plant is small and annual, and yields seeds, whence 

 an oil is extracted in several parts of India, which will keep many years, 

 and not acquire any rancid smell or taste, but in two years become quite 

 mild ; so that when the warm taste of the seed, which is in the oil when 

 first drawn, is worn off, it is used for ali the purposes of salad oil. It is in 

 common use in China and Japan. 



Shawls are manufactured in Cashmere, (which supplies the whole world, 

 giving activity to 16,000 looms, and employing 50,000 men,) and from 

 thence forwarded to Sural, Bengal, and other parts of India. The wool of 

 which they are manufactured, is not produced in the country, but brought 

 from Thibet, where it is an article of extensive traffic, regulated with great 

 jealousy ; it is originally of a dark grey colour, and is bleached in Cashmere. 

 The yarn of this wool is stained with such colours as may be judged best 

 suited for sale, and after being woven, the piece is once washed. The borders, 

 which usually display a variety of figures and colours, are attached to the 

 shawls after fabrication, but in so nice a manner, that the junction is not 

 discernible. The texture of the shawl resembles that of the shalloon of 

 Europe, to which it has probably communicated its name. The shawls 

 usually consist of three sizes, two of which, the long and the small square, 

 are in common use in India, and are the sorts usually imported into England; 

 the other, long and very narrow, with a large mixture of black colour in 

 them, are worn as a girdle by many of the Asiatics. They are generally 

 sold in pairs, unci the price varies according to the quality, it being consider- 

 ably enhanced by the introduction of flower- work. For the English market, 



