[4] The title Chao in Nan-Chao (infra,
p. 79) is said by a Chinese
author (Pauthier, p. 391)
to signify King in the language of those
barbarians. This is evidently
the Chao which forms an essential part
of the title of all Siamese
and Shan princes.
[Regarding the word Nan-Chao,
Mr. Parker (China Review, XX. p. 339) writes
“In the barbarian tongue ’prince is Chao,”
says the Chinese author; and there were six Chao,
of which the Nan or Southern was the leading
power. Hence the name Nan-Chao ... it is hardly
necessary for me to say that chao or kyiao
is still the Shan-Siamese word for ‘prince.’
Pallegoix (Dict. p. 85) has Chao, Princeps,
rex.—H.C.]
[5] Gandhara, Arabice Kandahar, is properly
the country about
Peshawar, Gandaritis
of Strabo.
[6] This is printed almost in full in the French Voyage
d’Exploration,
I. 564.
CONCERNING A FURTHER PART OF THE PROVINCE OF CARAJAN.
After leaving that city of Yachi of which I have been
speaking, and travelling ten days towards the west,
you come to another capital city which is still in
the province of Carajan, and is itself called Carajan.
The people are Idolaters and subject to the Great Kaan;
and the King is COGACHIN, who is a son of the Great
Kaan.[NOTE 1]
In this country gold-dust is found in great quantities;
that is to say in the rivers and lakes, whilst in
the mountains gold is also found in pieces of larger
size. Gold is indeed so abundant that they give
one saggio of gold for only six of the same
weight in silver. And for small change they use
porcelain shells as I mentioned before. These
are not found in the country, however, but are brought
from India.[NOTE 2]
In this province are found snakes and great serpents
of such vast size as to strike fear into those who
see them, and so hideous that the very account of
them must excite the wonder of those to hear it.
I will tell you how long and big they are.
You may be assured that some of them are ten paces
in length; some are more and some less. And in
bulk they are equal to a great cask, for the bigger
ones are about ten palms in girth. They have two
forelegs near the head, but for foot nothing but a
claw like the claw of a hawk or that of a lion.
The head is very big, and the eyes are bigger than
a great loaf of bread. The mouth is large enough
to swallow a man whole, and is garnished with great
[pointed] teeth. And in short they are so fierce-looking
and so hideously ugly, that every man and beast must
stand in fear and trembling of them. There are
also smaller ones, such as of eight paces long, and
of five, and of one pace only.
