Chinese Eatables. 179 
bon of the burnt brush had given the highest perfection to the 
fruit, -without the luxuriance of foliage which causes so much 
trouble. When left to nature they travel or plant themselves, by 
means of running vines they put forth. 
In my botanical excursions in England, I do not recollect find- 
ing the strawberry growing in grassy places, as in North America. 
I have turned to Gerard's famous Herbal, printed in 1597, for his 
experience in this matter. He says: " strawberries do grow upon 
hills and valleies, likewise in woods and other such places that 
bee something shadowie, p. 845." 
The same author, also, describes, and gives a figure of the 
Gooseberry, p. 1 143, and mentions one whose fruit " is almost 
as bigge as a small cherrie, and verie rounde in forme; also ano- 
ther of the like biiines of an inch in length. We have also in 
our London gardens, another sort altogither without pricks, whose 
fruit is very small, of a perfect red color." 
This early notice shows the little progress then made in the 
cultivation of a fruit that is now the pride of the Lancashire 
weavers, and not less esteemed in all the large cities of Great 
Britain. The English markets are now largely supplied with the 
Gooseberry. They have grown this berry weighing 31 penny- 
weights and 16 grains! which is a little more than one ounce and 
three-quarters avoirdupoise. Twenty-five pennyweights is regarded 
as a good weight for a Gooseberry. 
Chinese Eatables. — They eat almost every thing that comes 
to hand. Upon the streets of the city, but particularly on the 
large square before the factories, a number of birds are daily ex- 
posed for sale, which amongst us have not yet gained much 
repute for flavor; among others, hawks, owls, eagles, and storks. 
To an European, nothing can have a more laughable effect than 
to see the Chinese arrive, with a carrying pole, supporting two 
bird cages, which contain dogs and cats, instead of birds. A 
small, thin sort of spaniel appeared to us to be most in request; 
they sit quite downcast in their temporary dwellings, when they 
are brought to market; while the cats make a dreadful squalling, 
as if conscious of their fate. The flesh of these last, when they 
are well fed, is much esteemed in China, and they are often seen 
on the tables of the rich. Other Chinese bring upon their carry- 
ing poles many dozens of rats, which are drawn quite clean, and, 
like pigs in our country, when they have been opened, arc hung 
up by means of a cross-piece of wood through the hind legs. 
They look nice, but are only eaten by the poor. 
