SUMATRA* >* 
ages and countries. The next procefs is that of clearing the grain from Modeofdcar- 
the hufik, by which, from paddee, it becomes rice. This is done In the graia. 
the L^^Qong^ or large wooden mortar, where it is jxiinided, by one or 
more pcrfons, with heavy i>e files, of wood alfo, called AIUq^ till the 
outer coat is feparated ; after which it is again fanned. This buiinefs is 
likewife, in fome places^ performed with a machine ; which 15 no more 
than a hollow cylinder of heavy wood, turned back and forwards, hori- 
zontally, by two handles, on a foUd cylinder of the fame diameter, and at 
the fame time preffed down, to encreafe the friftion. The grain is put 
into the hollow cylinder, which anfwers the purpofe of a hopi>erj at 
the fame tin^ie that it performs the bufinefs of the upper millftone in our 
mills* A fp indie runs up from the center of the lower piece of wood, 
which ferves as an axis for the upper to turn on. 
The rice Is now in a ftate for fale, exportation, or laying up. It will Rice as an ar* 
not keep above twelve months, particularly the fawoor rice, which be- mcrcct 
gins to fhew figns of decay afcer iix. At Natal they have a pradtice of 
putting a quantity of the leaves of a flirub called Lagoondce, amongft 
their rice, in granaries or boats holds, which having a ftrong antifeptic 
virtue, deftroys the weevils that ufually breed in it. In Bengal, I am 
told they kiln -dry the rice intended for exjKtrtadon, owing to which, 
or fome other procefs, it will continue good for feveral years, and is on 
that account made ufe of for gatrifons in the Malay countries. In the 
ftate of paddec it will keep long without damaging, which induces the 
country people to lay k up in the iheaf ; clearing it of the hulk ; or 
beating it out, as it is termed ; from time to time^ as wanted for uie* 
By this operation ir lofes one half of it's quantity in meafurement, tvv^o 
bamboos of paddee yielding but one of rice. To render it perfedly 
clean for eating, a clrcumftanee they are particularly attentive to, it is 
put a fecond time into a leflbong of frnailer fize, and being fiafficiently 
pounded, without breaking the grains, it is again winnowed, by toiEng 
it in a flat fieve, till the pure and fpotlefs grain is dexteroully fepcratcd 
from the bran* They next wafli it in cold water, and then proceed 
to boil it, in the manner before defcribcd. 
The 
