[ xlx ] 
contrivance not unfimilar to this was, 
in the earliefl times, ufed in China. 
In a letter fent from Pekin, in 
1764, by one of the Miffionaries, 
in anfwer to fome queries relative 
to the Ghinefe characters, the author 
mentions, from one of their ancient 
books, that Fo-hi, by introduci?ig 
the eight koua, or elementary cha- 
racters, put an end to the life of 
knots upon cords, for the purpofes 
of government ; which, adds Dr. 
Morton, to whom this letter was 
directed, and who obliged the Royai 
Society with an abridgment of it (a), 
feems 
(<7) Pbilofophical TranfaSllons, vol.Hx. p. 495. This 
Letter has been iincc printed in French, with an 
Intmuiiftion by M. Tubf.rvill NEEDHAM, 
K.R.S. v.x Brufll-Is, in 1772. 
