Sumatra.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE 



365 



scales about him, and purchases are made with it so low as a grain or two 

 of paddy weight. 



Weights. — Various seeds are used as gold weights, but more especially 

 two, one the well-known scarlet pea with a black spot, 24- of which, called 

 rackays, make a mace, or ammas, and 16 mace a tale. The other is a 

 scarlet, or rather coral bean, much larger than the former, and without a 

 black spot. It is the candarine weight of the Chinese, of which 100 make 

 a tale. The tale differs in the northern and southern parts of the Island ; 

 here it is only 24- dwts. 8 grs. troy ; but at Padang, Bencoolen, and else- 

 where, it is 26 dwts. 14 grs. troy. 



Commercial Weights. 



16 tales are equal to 1 China catty. 



68. ditto t 1 catty ootao. 



20 catties ootan * 1 torapong= SO lbs. avoir. 



Measouks. — The measure for grain and liquids is the coy an, equal to 

 322,320 cub. in., each coyan divided into 80 tubs, each tub into 10 sukats, 

 and each sukat into 12 pakhas. 



TIGOO ISLANDS. — These islands are small and woody, about 1 1 

 mile distant from each other, and the innermost 1 J mile from the main. 

 The outermost is in latitude 0°23' S. 



PRIAM AN is about seven leagues N. W. of Padang ; the flag-staff is 

 in latitude 0° 40 S., otf which are several small islands ; the northernmost 

 is the smallest, and has a well of fresh water, where the Dutch vessels used 

 to supply themselves. The river is small ; a pinnace cannot go in till high 

 water ; you land on the right hand side. 



PADANG, — This settlement was the principal one belonging to the 

 Dutch on the W. Coast of Sumatra ; it is situated up a river in latitude 

 0" 58' S M and longitude 99° 5S E. The fort is within 40 yards of the 

 river, about a mile from the sea. It is shoal water for nearly two miles 

 without the river's mouth, though there are two or three fathoms at high 

 water, and about 10 feet on the bar. You go in round Padang Head ; and 

 when in the river, in a small bay, under the loot of the head, there is water 

 enough for sloops and small vessels. You keep close to Padang Head in 

 going in ; the entrance is narrow. xVfter passing the saluting batter)', 

 which is on the right hand side, you cross the river, and keep near the shore 

 till you come to the stairs, or landing-place. 



Trade. — Great quantities of piece-goods are annually imported here ; 

 the other articles of European and Indian produce are similar to those enu- 

 merated at Natal. 



Gold is the principal product procured ; this article, and camphire. 



