of Cochin-China, is by far the chief
industry of the colony. Pepper is grown in considerable quantities in
the districts of Ha-Tien and Bien-Hoa, and sugarcanes, coffee, cotton,
tobacco and jute are also produced. The buffalo, used both for transport
and in the rice-fields, and swine, the flesh of which forms an important
element in the native diet, are the principal domestic animals. Oxen and
cows are of secondary importance and the climate is unsuitable for
sheep; horses of a small breed are used to some extent. The chief
industrial establishments are those for the decortication of rice at
Saigon and Cholon; they are in the hands of the Chinese, by whom most of
the trade in the colony is conducted. Sugar-making, the distillation of
rice-spirit, silk-weaving, fishing and the preparation of a fish-sauce
(_nuoc-mam_) made from decayed fish, and the manufacture of salt from
sea-water and of lime are carried on in many localities.

_Commerce._--Rice is the chief article of export, dried or salted fish,
pepper and cotton ranking next in order of value. Imports include woven
goods, metals, ironware, machinery, tea, wines and spirits, mineral
oils, opium, paper, and arms and powder. The ports of Saigon and Mytho
are accessible to the largest vessels, and are connected by a railway
(see Indo-China, French). The roadsteads of Rach-Gia, Ca-Mau, and
Ha-Tien can accommodate only vessels of low tonnage. In 1905 exports
reached a value of L3,816,000, and imports a value of L4,834,000 (not
including treasure and transit trade).

_Government and Administration._--Cochin-China is administered by a
lieutenant-governor under the authority of the governor-general of
Indo-China. He is assisted by the _conseil colonial_ numbering sixteen
members, six of whom are French citizens elected by the French, six
natives elected by the natives, the other four being members of the
chamber of commerce of Saigon and the _conseil prive_. The _conseil
colonial_, besides its advisory functions, discusses and votes the
budget, determines the nature of the taxes, has supreme control over the
tariffs, and extensive powers in the administration of colonial domains.
The _conseil prive_ is a deliberative body under the presidency of the
lieutenant-governor, composed of colonial officials together with two
native members. The colony is divided into four circumscriptions
(Saigon, My-Tho, Vinh-Long, Bassac), at the head of each of which is an
inspector of native