tive, the exportations were at first
multiplied, then doubled every succeeding year, until they reached, in
1846-47 no less than 173,117 piculs. The price has gradually declined
to 11/4 dollars per picul, at which rate it displaces its rival, bark.
This price, however, is unremunerative to the grower, so that, unless
more encouragement offers, the supply will decline.

The number of Chinese employed in the cultivation, &c., of gambier
and pepper in Singapore is about 11,000. Their rate of wages
fluctuates with the price of gambier. If a picul of gambier realizes
11/2 dollars, the monthly pay will be about three dollars; if gambier
fetches two dollars, their pay will amount to four dollars in the
month. The workmen who clean the plantation always receive a dollar
less than those who cut and boil the gambier.

A good deal of gambier seems now to be grown in Java, for 58,305
piculs were exported from that island in 1843. A small quantity is
taken by the Chinese ports, but whether as a masticatory or for
tanning and dyeing I am not aware.

VALUE OF THE TERRA JAPONICA IMPORTED INTO CEYLON.
L
1840 611
1841 1,053
1842 768
1843 471
1844 1,153
1845 537
1846 824
1847 1,549
1848 1,095
1849 896
1850 265
1851 386

In the Customs' returns of imports to this country, two articles are
enumerated, under the separate names of cutch and terra japonica; the
former is catechu and the latter the produce of the gambier plant. The
imports of gambier were, in 1836, 970 tons; 1837, 2,738 tons; 1838,
1,600 tons; 1839, 5,213 tons.

Cutch. Terra Japonica.
tons. tons.
1848 Imported to the United Kingdom 1,186 5,623
Retained for home consumption 765 5,102
1849 Imported 1,636 6,851
Retained for home consumption 869 5,400
1850 Imported 1,172 4,585
Home consumption 787 3,655
1851 Imported 2,401 4,783
Home consumption 2,020 4,431
1852 Imported 2,236 3,244
Home consumption 1,708 3,003

Catechu, imported under its Indian name of cutch, is brought o