three times the amount of silver that they now indicate, with a higher value of silver also, and hence equivalent to about 4_s._ and 4_s._ 4_d._ a pound.  The term Baladi (Ar.), Indigenous or “Country” ginger, indicated ordinary qualities of no particular repute.  The word Baladi seems to have become naturalised in Spanish with the meaning “of small value.”  We have noticed on a former occasion the decay of the demand for pepper in China.  Ginger affords a similar example.  This spice, so highly prized and so well known throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, I have found to be quite unknown by name and qualities to servants in Palermo of more than average intelligence. (Elliot, I. 67; Ramusio, I. f. 275, v. 323; Dozy and Engelm. pp. 232-233; Douet d’Arcq, p. 218; Philobiblon Soc.  Miscellanies, vol. ii. p. 116.)

NOTE 4.—­In Bengal Indigo factories artificial heat is employed to promote the drying of the precipitated dye; but this is not essential to the manufacture.  Marco’s account, though grotesque in its baldness, does describe the chief features of the manufacture of Indigo by fermentation.  The branches are cut and placed stem upwards in the vat till it is three parts full; they are loaded, and then the vat is filled with water.  Fermentation soon begins and goes on till in 24 hours the contents of the vat are so hot that the hand cannot be retained in it.  This is what Marco ascribes to the sun’s heat.  The liquor is then drawn off to another cistern and there agitated; the indigo separates in flakes.  A quantity of lime-water then is added, and the blue is allowed to subside.  The clear water is drawn off; the sediment is drained, pressed, and cut into small squares, etc. (See Madras Journal, vol. viii. 198.)

Indigo had been introduced into Sicily by the Jews during the time of Frederick II., in the early part of Polo’s century.  Jews and Indigo have long vanished from Sicily.  The dye is often mentioned in Pegolotti’s Book; the finest quality being termed Indaco Baccadeo a corruption of Baghdadi.  Probably it came from India by way of Baghdad.  In the Barcelona Tariffs it appears as Indigo de Bagadel.  Another quality often mentioned is Indigo di Golfo. (See Capmany, Memorias II.  App. p. 73.) In the bye-laws of the London Painters’ Guild of the 13th century, quoted by Sir F. Palgrave from the Liber Horne, it is forbidden to paint on gold or silver except with fine (mineral) colours, “e nient de brasil, ne de inde de Baldas, ne de nul autre mauveise couleur.” (The Merchant and the Friar, p. xxiii.) There is now no indigo made or exported at Quilon, but there is still some feeble export of sappanwood, ginger, and pepper.  These, and previous particulars as to the present Quilon, I owe to the kindness of Mr. Ballard, British Resident at Trevandrum.

NOTE 5.—­Black Tigers and black Leopards are not very rare in Travancore (See Welsh’s Mil.  Reminiscences, II. 102.)