296 
CAMEOS. 
]\Iusina,* a pretty fox-like animal witli a busliy tail, 
of wliicli the Japanese make great pets. She is re- 
presented going off to market, standing on her hind 
legs, with an aquatic plant to protect her head, 
while she holds another smaller leaf as a fan. On 
her arm is slung a gourd to serve as a water-bottle, 
should she be thirsty on^ her way. The creature's 
fur in this ivoiy^ gem is wonderfully rendered, and 
the veins of the leaves are sculptured with the most 
minute accurac)". The eyes are black 'and sparkling, 
and a quaint business-like air is given to the serious 
face. Although at first sight top-hea\y, the artist 
has so accurately balanced his work, that the little 
animal stands readily upon its hind feet. 
I likewise discovered in my explorations, cameos 
of grinning faces, carved in low relief on the sides 
of walnuts, and a charming little bit of carving in 
solid tortoiseshell, obtained from the nails of the 
great elephant-footed tortoise. I became possessed 
also of a female figure balancing a huge vnter-pot 
on her head, and a warrior with a terrible countc- 
* See Vignette. 
