The Commentator On Magalhen Seems
Doubtful As To The Length Of The Chinese Che Or Cubit.
At this island
they have two sorts, one measuring thirteen inches and seven-tenths
English, which, is commonly used
By merchants; the other is only eleven
inches, being used by carpenters, and also in geographical measures.
Though Father Martini is censured by Magalhen for spelling a great many
Chinese words with ng, which the Portuguese and others express with
in, yet his way is more agreeable to our English pronunciation and
orthography; only the g may be left out in Pekin, Nankin, and some
others.
Having made enquiry about what is mentioned by Father Martini of sowing
their fields at Van-cheu with oyster-shells, to make new ones grow,
I was told, that after they have taken out the oysters, they sprinkle
the empty shells with urine, and throw them into the water, by which
means there grow new oysters on the old shells.[332] Martini says he
could never find a Latin name for the Tula Mogorin of the Portuguese;
but I am sure it is the same with the Syringa arabica, flore pleno
albo, of Parkinson. Martini also says that the kieu-yeu, or
tallow-tree, bears a white flower, like that of the cherry-tree: But all
that I have seen here bear spikes of small yellow flowers, like the
julus of the Salix. The bean-broth, or mandarin-broth, so frequently
mentioned in the Dutch embassy, and by other authors, is only an
emulsion made of the seeds of sesamum with hot water.
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