176 
S I A 
its diminutive, the kit of this instrument, which is a kind of 
rebec, or violin with three brass strings. 
Their copper trumpets very much resemble, in 'tone, the 
cornets with which the peasants of France call their cows. 
Their flutes are not much sweeter. They make likewise a 
kind of carillon with small bells, which are lively, and not 
disagreeable, when not accompanied by their iron drum, 
which stuns every one that is not accustomed to its noisy 
harshness. They have drums made of terra cotta, a baked 
clay, with a long and very narrow neck, but open at the 
bottom: they cover the drum with a buffalce’s hide, and 
beat it with the hand in such a manner, thaj Reserves for a 
bass in their concerts. Their voices are not disagreeable, and 
if we were to hear them sing some of their airs, we should 
not be displeased. 
SIAM, more properly called Juthia or Odia, the capital 
of the kingdom of Siam, situated on the river Menam. Its 
former position was lower down, where Bancock stands now ; 
but it was removed to its present site, on a low island about 
four miles in circumference. The surrounding country is 
very flat, and intersected by numerous canals or branches 
from the river, through which the people are continually 
passing in boats. The city is surrounded with a brick wall, 
which, on the north and south sides, is about 25 feet high, 
well turreted, and in good condition ; but the other sides are 
lower, and considerably decayed. Small gates open in 
many places towards the river. At the lower end of the 
city is a large bastion running some distance into the stream, 
which as well as several small ones, being well furnished 
with cannon, commands the channel. To secure the city 
wall from being injured by the current, a narrow bank or 
quay is left, which is built upon in many places. The city 
is intersected by several large canals, generally running at 
right angles to each other, with many smaller ones branching 
out from them. The streets run along the canals, so that 
ships from the river may enter the town, and land their 
cargoes near the principal houses. Some of the streets are 
tolerably large, but most of them are narrow and very dirty; 
and a few are liable to be inundated. The first street, after 
entering the city, running westward along the canal, is that 
which contains the best houses, and where the European 
factories were formerly situated. The middle street, running 
north, is well inhabited and full of tradesmen and artificers’ 
shops. Numerous Chinese and Moors reside here in very 
small and low stone houses, covered with flat tiles; while 
those of the natives are generally composed of timber and 
bamboos, roofed with palm leaves. The numerous bridges 
over the canals are built, the larger of stone, and the smaller 
of wood. There are three royal palaces in the city, the 
principal of which is built according to the Chinese 
architecture, with many gilded roofs, and containing the 
stables for the elephants. The second palace is square, but 
small, and generally inhabited by the elder prince. There 
is a third palace, smaller than either. Round the city are 
many suburbs, some of which, as on the Chinese rivers, 
consist of inhabited vessels, each containing two or three 
families. The houses on firm ground are generally built of 
bamboos, planks, and mats; those on the banks of the river 
stand on posts about six feet high, that the water may pass 
freely under them. Each house is furnished with steps to 
come down in dry weather, and with a boat to go about 
when the rivers are swollen. 
SIAM, Gulf of, a great bay of the Eastern ocean, having 
on the west, part of the peninsula of Malacca, and on the 
east the kingdom of Cambodia. At its head or northern 
extremity it touches on the kingdom of Siam, and receives 
the great river Menam. It extends from about the 9th to the 
14th degree of north latitude, and from the 100th to the 
104th of east longitude. 
SIAN, or Cio, a town of Melinda, in Eastern Africa. 
SIANCAS, a river of South America, in the province of 
Tucuman, which rises near the city of Salta, runs west, and 
enters the Vermejo. 
SIANG, a town of China, in Quangsee, of the second 
rank. Lat. 23. 58. N. long. 109. E. 
S I B 
SIANG CHAN, a town of China, of the third rank, in 
Tchekiang. 
SIANG-HIAN, a town of China, of the third rank, in 
Houquang. 
SIANGTAN, a town of China, of the third rank, in 
Chan-si. 
SIANG-YANG, a city of China, of the first rank, in the 
province of Houquang. Being situated on the river Han, 
it has the opportunity of carrying on a considerable trade. 
Some gold dust is found in the rivers, and veins of this metal 
might probably be discovered in the neighbouring moun¬ 
tains, were it permitted to open them. Lat. 32. 5. N. long. 
111.39. E. 
SIANICZA, a small town in the north of European 
Turkey, in Servia, with a population of 1800; 100 miles 
south-west of Belgrade. 
SIANKE, or Synke, in Natural History, a name given 
by the people of some parts of the East Indies to the caryo- 
phyllus, or clove-spice. 
SIAO, a town of China, of the third rank, in Kiangnan. 
SIAO ISLE, an island about 35 miles in circumference, 
situated off 1 the north-eastern extremity of the island of 
Celebes. On this island there is a volcano, which, during 
its eruptions, covers the neighbouring islands with cinders. 
The land is high but fruitful, and provisions are cheap. 
The Dutch had formerly here a small garrison, with a 
schoolmaster to instruct the children of the natives. Pro¬ 
visions are plentiful. Lat. 2. 44. N. long. 125. 5. E. 
SIAO CHAN, a town of China, of the third rank, in 
Tchekiang. 
SIAO-HE-CHAN, a small island near the coast of China, 
Lat. 41. 43. N. long. 120. 39. E. 
SIAO-NON-HOTUN, a town of Chinese Tartary; 550 
miles east-north-east of Peking. 
SIAO-PI-HOTUN, a town of Corea; 438 miles east of 
Peking. 
SIAO-TEIN, a river of China, which falls into the 
Eastern seas. Lat. 37. 21. N. long. 118. 44'. E. 
SIARMAN, a village of Mazanderan, in Persia, on the 
coast of the Caspian ; 12 miles east-south-east of Fehrabad. 
SIAS, a river and canal of European Russia. The canal 
joins the river to the Volchov; the river Sias ultimately joins 
the Wolga, and thus forms a communication between the 
east of the empire and St. Petersburg. This canal was 
begun in 1766, and after being laid aside for many years, 
was resumed in 1797, and completed in 1801. 
SIATISTA, an inland town of European Turkey, in the 
southern part of Macedon, built on the spot where Gortyna 
anciently stood, and where at present the roads from 
Grebna to Philurina, and from Castoria to Servitza, cross 
each other. Population 4000; 55 miles west-south-west of 
Salonica. 
SIB, ad), [pb, Sax.] Related by blood. Obsolete .— 
[He] was sibbe to Arthour of Breteigne. Chaucer. 
He is no faery born, ne sib at all 
To elfes. Spenser. 
SIB, s. A relation. Obsolete .—Our puritans, very sibs 
unto those fathers of the society, [the Jesuits.] Mountagu. 
SIB, a small sea-port of Ommon, in Arabia; 30 miles 
west-north-west of Mascat. 
SIBABA, a small island in the Eastern seas, mar the south 
coast of Mindanao. Lat. 6. 36. N. long. 122. 25. E. 
SIBiE, or Sobii, called also Ibte or Sab.e, in Ancient 
Geography, a people of India, on this side of the Ganges, 
and one of the first nations that encountered Alexander on 
the banks of the Acesines. 
SIBALDES, a cluster of small islands near the coast of 
Patagonia. Lat. 50. 53. N. long. 59. 35. W. 
SIBATTA, a town of Niphon, in Japan ; 15 miles south¬ 
east of Nambu. 
SIBB, a district of Mekran, in Persia, consisting of a plain 
surrounded by barren and rocky mountains, and governed 
by a chief who resides in a small town of the same name. 
A river, nearly dry, flows through the centre of this plain, 
in 
