The Two Hemispheres (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...which, as well as their eggs, are in great request among the Siamese as an article of food, and from their sale add not inconsiderably to the royal revenue. The python serpent attains an immense size, and there are many species of snakes. The only insect in Siam worthy of notice is the Coccus lacca, which produces the valuable dye and gum, the lac of commerce. MINERALS.--Gold is extensively diffused, and is obtained in tolerable purity. Tin, iron, copper, and lead are abundant, and are wrought, especially the two former, to some extent by the Chinese. The sapphire, oriental ruby, and oriental topaz are found in the hills of Chantibun, on the east side of the gulf. The mineral wealth of the kingdom is, however, far from having been completely explored, and a geologist was appointed for this purpose in 1872. TRADE AND SHIPPING, Ac--Siam has a most extensive trade, both inland and coastwise, as well as foreign. The inland trade is carried on mainly by the rivers, for there are no roads, and wheel-carriages are all but unknown. Every province of the kingdom produces some article in foreign demand; and Bangkok, from its situation on the Menam, has become the great centre of all its commerce. The principal articles of export in the order of their importance are rice, sugar, pepper, sesamum, sappan-wood, hides, and cardamoms, and among other articles are teak and other kinds of timber, coco-palm oil, cotton, peas, gamboge, birds'-nests, ivory, &c, as well as tin and zinc from the Malay provinces. The foreign trade is conducted chiefly with China, the southern ports of Anam, Java, Singapore, Pulo-Penang, &c, and occasionally with British India, the United States, and Britain. In 1855 a commercial treaty was concluded with Siam by Great...