Chap. VII. 
RELICS. 
109 
inside. I was afterwards informed that this was only a 
crystal bottle, with the relic 
suspended in some way from 
its mouth ; but being inside 
the bars, I could not examine 
it very minutely. "Now,^' 
said the priest, "look from 
this side, and tell me what 
you see in the vase.'' I look- 
ed from the side indicated, 
and saw what appeared very 
like a man's head with the 
eyes staring at me. I was 
informed, however, that this 
was a something which had 
grown on Buddha's fore- 
head ; and that, whenever the same thing was observed 
upon the heads of mortals, it was a sign of their having 
arrived at a very high state of perfection, approaching to 
the gods. " Now turn to the other corner, and tell me 
what colour the relic appears to you.'' I did so, and the 
substance, whatever it was, presented a reddish hue. 
" Ah ! that is very good," said the priest, " that is a good 
omen, — for it appears of that colour only to the most 
favoured persons. It appears of different colours to 
different individuals ; but that which you have seen 
is the best."* 
Crystal Vase. 
* The grating prevented me from having a closer examination of 
these curiosities, and I was obliged to be contented with the informa- 
tion I had obtained respecting them from the priests. When I 
returned to Foo-chow-foo, however, I requested Mr. Morrison (a son 
