Malay Patimula.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



341 



meal is mixed with water, and the paste rubbed into little round grains, like 

 small shot, and dried. This is the sago as imported into England, for 

 which market it should be chosen of a reddish hue, and readily dissolving 

 in hot water into a fine jelly. It should, previously to being shipped, be 

 carefully sifted an4 cleaned, and if possible, only the middling sized grains 

 be brought; the remainder might be readily disposed of to the Chinese, 

 who trade very largely in the article, importing it in their own junks from 

 the Eastern islands. — The ton for freight is 16 CwL 



Tin, (Rangu, Hind. Rauga and Trapu t San.) — This metal is found 

 in most parts of the Malay Peninsula, on Sumatra, Ranea, and at places 

 between 6* J S. and 10° N. Jat. : it is an article in which a considerable trade 

 is carried on with China and various parts. The best tin is said to come 

 from Banca, the mines on which island are stated to yield 1500 tons per 

 annum. In China, Banca tin is preferred to Cornish. In 1813 a large 

 quantity was brought to England from China, for want of sale. It is gene- 

 rally made into slabs or ingots of different sizes, from 20 to 60 lbs. each ; 

 in some parts of the Malay coast it is cast into the shape of birds, and fanci- 

 ful forms, and is frequently in very small pieces. In purchasing tin, only 

 the large slabs should be chosen ; but if obliged to take the small, particular 

 care is requisite both in receiving and delivering it from the ship, or the 

 sailors will steal it, to sell for spirits. At many of the Malay ports, where 

 tin is purchased, it is usual to run it over again in a Chinese /«/cA, as it is 

 sometimes offered full of dirt. 



Wax (Mom, Hind, and Pers. Medhuch-hhhta, San.) is a commodity 

 of great importance in the Eastern islands, from whence it is exported in 

 considerable quantities to China, and other parts, in large oblong cakes. It 

 is divided into head, belly, and foot. The head is of a bright yellow colour, 

 free from dirt and impurities; the belly i- darker coloured and veiny ; and 

 the foot is of an ash-colour, soft and foul. Wax should be chosen somewhat 

 brittle, of a pleasant yellow colour, an agreeable smell and taste, not ad- 

 hering to the teeth when chewed, and burning entirely away. That which 

 is dark-coloured and foul should be rejected ; and care should be taken that 

 the inside of the cakes is equal to the outside. It is occasionally imported 

 in small quantities from Bengal ; but the heavy freight prevents its being 

 profitable, otherwise Bengal could supply the wants of Great Britain. — 

 20 Cwt. of wax are allowed to a ton. 



Wood Oil. — This oil is produced on Sumat ra, and is used for preserv- 

 ing timber from the white ants, and when boiled with dammcr, for covering 

 the bottoms of ships and bonts. It is procured in the same manner as cam- 

 phi re oil. 



