Glass

There are two Chinese terms for gla , (i), liu li IMG:p219_3.png:Chinese characters or pi liu li IMG:p219_4.png:Chinese characters an early transcription of the Sanskrit vaidurya or Pali ifJiiri/a, probably meaning rock-crystal. This term is in the Sltuo Wen. (ii), Po U IMG:p219_5.png:Chinese characters which transcribes in a contracted form the Sanskrit spahtika, rock-crystal. This word dates from the fifth century a.d. Liu li is used for opaque gla of all colours, including glazes and enamels; po li is the term for ordinary transparent gla :. China IMG:p219_6.png:Chinese characters received gla from the West about a.d. 110, chiefly from Alexandria. The art of making it, according to Chinese histories, was introduced overland into Shansi and by sea to Nanking, early in the fifth century. The industry has been carried on ever since. In modern times the chief producing centre has been Po-shan in Shantung. It is also made in the Kuantung leased territory. In gla -cutting the Chinese have excelled. HiRTH and Rock hill: Chau Ju-hua, p. 227; Btisiiell: Chinese Art, vol. ii; T'otjng Pao, 1891. G 0 ATS K I N S. The trade in untanned goatskins arose through the disturbance in the New York market created by the war between Chile and Peru in 1880. Agents were sent to China among other places, and through them hints were obtained as to the preparation of skins, and-the local custom of drying them in the sun was discovered to be the cause of the ill succe of experimental shipments made, previously. These skins are used for boot tops and also for bookbinding. Tanned skins and rugs are also exported, and the trade has grown to enormous proportions, nearly ten million pieces of all kinds having of late been exported in one year. The skins are used as floor and carriage rugs and as imitation furs, the longer and more wiry hairs being plucked out. The best skins are found in the west. Their quality gradually deteriorates as their place of origin lies further east. They came from Shensi, Honan, Anhui, Hupei, and Shantung, but a strong trade has sprung up more recently in Ssuch'uan skins, and Kueichou and Kiangsu also supply a limited number. In the Great Plain almost every peasant group po e es several goats. The proportion of the export trade at the most recent date are as follows: Tientsin, 43 per cent.; Chungking, 24; Hankow, 18; Ichang and Shanghai, 5 to 7 per cent. One of the chief markets is Pochow, Anhui; the trade is in some districts in the hands of the Mahommedans. The export in 1916 was untanned skins 9,888,271 pieces, value Tls. 5,466,044; tanned skins 494,771 pieces, value Tls. 485,729. Customs Reports.