causes in operation exercising a powerful influence in reducing prices.  Gambier was first exported in 1830, from Singapore, to the extent of 2,587 piculs, at 41/2 dollars per picul.  As a rival to bark it failed at so costly a price to meet with encouragement; the culture and manufacture consequently declined until 1834, when 1,858 piculs were shipped to England at a somewhat lower rate.  The demand then became active, the exportations were at first multiplied, then doubled every succeeding year, until they reached, in 1846-47 no less than 173,117 piculs.  The price has gradually declined to 11/4 dollars per picul, at which rate it displaces its rival, bark.  This price, however, is unremunerative to the grower, so that, unless more encouragement offers, the supply will decline.

The number of Chinese employed in the cultivation, &c., of gambier and pepper in Singapore is about 11,000.  Their rate of wages fluctuates with the price of gambier.  If a picul of gambier realizes 11/2 dollars, the monthly pay will be about three dollars; if gambier fetches two dollars, their pay will amount to four dollars in the month.  The workmen who clean the plantation always receive a dollar less than those who cut and boil the gambier.

A good deal of gambier seems now to be grown in Java, for 58,305 piculs were exported from that island in 1843.  A small quantity is taken by the Chinese ports, but whether as a masticatory or for tanning and dyeing I am not aware.

VALUE OF THE TERRA JAPONICA IMPORTED INTO CEYLON. 
L
1840        611
1841      1,053
1842        768
1843        471
1844      1,153
1845        537
1846        824
1847      1,549
1848      1,095
1849        896
1850        265
1851        386

In the Customs’ returns of imports to this country, two articles are enumerated, under the separate names of cutch and terra japonica; the former is catechu and the latter the produce of the gambier plant.  The imports of gambier were, in 1836, 970 tons; 1837, 2,738 tons; 1838, 1,600 tons; 1839, 5,213 tons.

Cutch.    Terra Japonica.
tons.         tons.
1848  Imported to the United Kingdom   1,186         5,623
Retained for home consumption      765         5,102
1849  Imported                         1,636         6,851
Retained for home consumption      869         5,400
1850  Imported                         1,172         4,585
Home consumption                   787         3,655
1851  Imported                         2,401         4,783
Home consumption                 2,020         4,431
1852  Imported                         2,236         3,244
Home consumption                 1,708         3,003

Catechu, imported under its Indian name of cutch, is brought over in bales or baskets of from one to four cwt., the price being L18 to L25 per ton.  About 450 cwt. of terra japonica or gambier is annually imported into Hull from the East Indies.  The imports of the two substances into Liverpool is about 900 tons.  Gambier is only worth L13 to L14 the ton; a few years ago it fetched 26s. the cwt.  The imports into the port of London average 1,500 tons annually.