stated that Tungking was called Kiao-chi meaning “crossed-toes,” because the people often exhibit that malformation (which is a fact), but we may be certain that the syllables were originally a phonetic representation of an indigenous name which has no such meaning.  As another example, less ridiculous but not more true, Chin-tan, representing the Indian name of China, Chinasthana, is explained to mean “Eastern-Dawn” (Aurore Orientale). (Amyot, XIV. 101; Klapr.  Mem. III. 268.)

The states of Laos are shut out from the sea in the manner indicated; they abound in domestic elephants to an extraordinary extent; and the people do tattoo themselves in various degrees, most of all (as M. Garnier tells me) about Kiang Hung.  The style of tattooing which the text describes is quite that of the Burmese, in speaking of whom Polo has omitted to mention the custom:  “Every male Burman is tattooed in his boyhood from the middle to his knees; in fact he has a pair of breeches tattooed on him.  The pattern is a fanciful medley of animals and arabesques, but it is scarcely distinguishable, save as a general tint, except on a fair skin.” (Mission to Ava, 151.)

[1] Indeed documents in Klaproth’s Asia Polyglotta show that the
    Pape state was also called Muang-Yong (pp. 364-365).  I observe
    that the river running to the east of Pu-eul and Ssemao (Puer and
    Esmok) is called Papien-Kiang, the name of which is perhaps a
    memorial of the Pape.

[The old Laocian kingdom of Xieng-mai [Kiang-mai], called Muong-Yong by the Pa-y, was inhabited by the Pa-pe Si-fu or Bat-ba T’uc-phu; the inhabitants called themselves Thai-niai or great Thai. (Deveria, Frontiere, p. 100.  Ch. ix. of the Chinese work Sze-i-kwan-kao is devoted to Xieng-mai Pa-pe), which includes the subdivisions of Laos, Xieng Hung [Kiang Hung] and Muong-Ken. (Deveria, Mel. de Harlez, p. 97.)—­H.C.]

CHAPTER LVII.

CONCERNING THE PROVINCE OF ANIN.

Anin is a Province towards the east, the people of which are subject to the Great Kaan, and are Idolaters.  They live by cattle and tillage, and have a peculiar language.  The women wear on the legs and arms bracelets of gold and silver of great value, and the men wear such as are even yet more costly.  They have plenty of horses which they sell in great numbers to the Indians, making a great profit thereby.  And they have also vast herds of buffaloes and oxen, having excellent pastures for these.  They have likewise all the necessaries of life in abundance.[NOTE 1]

Now you must know that between Anin and Caugigu, which we have left behind us, there is a distance of [25] days’ journey;[NOTE 2] and from Caugigu to Bangala, the third province in our rear, is 30 days’ journey.  We shall now leave Anin and proceed to another province which is some 8 days’ journey further, always going eastward.