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Matplotlib for Python Developers
Second Edition

Effective techniques for data visualization with Python

Aldrin Yim
Claire Chung
Allen Yu

BIRMINGHAM - MUMBAI
Matplotlib for Python
Developers Second Edition
Copyright © 2018 Packt Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher,
except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews.

Every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information
presented. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express
or implied. Neither the authors, nor Packt Publishing or its dealers and distributors, will be held
liable for any damages caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this book.

Packt Publishing has endeavored to provide trademark information about all of the companies and
products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, Packt Publishing
cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Commissioning Editor: Amey Varangaonkar

Acquisition Editor: Varsha Shetty
Content Development Editor: Mayur Pawanikar
Technical Editor: Prasad Ramesh
Copy Editor: Vikrant Phadke
Project Coordinator: Nidhi Joshi
Proofreader: Safis Editing
Indexer: Mariammal Chettiyar
Graphics: Tania Dutta
Production Coordinator: Shantanu Zagade

First published: November 2009

Second edition: April 2018

Production reference: 1200418

Published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

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B3 2PB, UK.
ISBN 978-1-78862-517-3

www.packtpub.com
 Cancer has taken away my grandfather, my aunt, and my friend, I hate cancer. This book is
dedicated to the memory of my grandfather, ChiuKhan Chan, who thought I shouldn’t study that
much. May he rest in peace.
– Aldrin Yim
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Contributors
About the authors
Aldrin Yim is a PhD candidate and Markey Scholar in the
Computation and System Biology program at Washington
University, School of Medicine. His research focuses on
applying big data analytics and machine learning approaches in
studying neurological diseases and cancer. He is also the
founding CEO of Codex Genetics Limited, which provides
precision medicine solutions to patients and hospitals in Asia.

Great pleasure to work with Allen and Claire. Also special thanks to Mayur and his team for
making the writing process comfortable to us.

Claire Chung is pursuing her PhD degree as a

Bioinformatician at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She
enjoys using Python daily for work and lifehack. While
passionate in science, her challenge-loving character motivates
her to go beyond data analytics. She has participated in web
development projects, as well as developed skills in graphic
design and multilingual translation. She led the Campus
Network Support Team in college, and shared her experience in
data visualization in PyCon HK 2017.
Allen Yu, PhD, is a Chevening Scholar, 2017-18, and an MSC
student in computer science at the University of Oxford. He
holds a PhD degree in Biochemistry from the Chinese
University of Hong Kong, and he has used Python and
Matplotlib extensively during his 10 years of bioinformatics
experience.

Apart from academic research, Allen is the co-founder of Codex

Genetics Limited, which aims to provide a personalized
medicine service in Asia through the use of the latest genomics
technology.

I feel honored to take part in this fantastic project. Special thanks to Mayur and Aldrin for leading
the production process. Besides, I wish to thank my fiancée for her love and support. I am also
grateful to be sponsored by the Chevening Scholarship, which is funded by the UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organizations.
What this book covers
Chapter 1 , Introduction to Matplotlib, gets you familiar with the
capabilities and functionalities of Matplotlib.

Chapter 2 , Getting Started with Matplotlib, gets you started with

basic plotting techniques using Matplotlib syntax.

Chapter 3 , Decorating Graphs with Plot Styles and Types, shows

how to beautify your plots and select the right kind of plot that
communicates your data effectively.

Chapter 4 , Advanced Matplotlib, teaches you how to group

multiple relevant plots into subplots in one figure using
nonlinear scales, axis scales, plotting images, and advanced
plots with the help of some popular third-party packages.

Chapter 5 , Embedding Matplotlib in GTK+3, shows examples of

embeding Matplotlib in applications using GTK+3.

Chapter 6 , Embedding Matplotlib in Qt 5, explains how to embed

a figure in a QWidget, use layout manager to pack a figure in a
QWidget, create a timer, react to events, and update a
Matplotlib graph accordingly. We use QT Designer to draw a
simple GUI for Matplotlib embedding.
Chapter 7 , Embedding Matplotlib in wxWidgets Using
wxPython, shows how you can use Matplotlib in the wxWidgets
framework, particularly using wxPython bindings.

Chapter 8 , Integrating Matplotlib with Web Applications,

teaches you how to develop a simple site that displays the price
of Bitcoin.

Chapter 9 , Matplotlib in the Real World, begins our journey of

understanding more advanced Matplotlib usage through real-
world examples.

Chapter 10 , Integrating Data Visualization into the

Workflow, covers a mini-project combining the skills of data
analytics with the visualization techniques you have learned.
About the reviewer
Nikhil Borkar has also worked as a contributing author. He
holds the CQF designation and a PG degree in Quantitative
Finance from the University of Mumbai. He works as an
independent fintech and legal consultant. Prior to this, he was
with Morgan Stanley Capital International as a Global RFP
Project Manager. He has worked on Quantitative Finance and
Economic Research projects using R, Python, and Excel VBA.
He loves to approach problems in a multidisciplinary, holistic
way. He is actively working on Machine Learning, AI, and Deep
Learning projects.
Packt is searching for
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Table of Contents
Title Page

Copyright and Credits

Matplotlib for Python Developers Second Edition

Dedication

Packt Upsell

Why subscribe?

PacktPub.com

Contributors

About the authors

About the reviewer

Packt is searching for authors like you

Preface

Who this book is for

What this book covers

To get the most out of this book

 Download the example code files

Download the color images

Conventions used

Get in touch

Reviews

1. Introduction to Matplotlib

What is Matplotlib?

Merits of Matplotlib

Easy to use

Diverse plot types

Hackable to the core (only when you want)

Open source and community support

What's new in Matplotlib 2.x?

Improved functionality and performance

Improved color conversion API

and RGBA support

Improved image support

Faster text rendering

Change in the default animation

codec
 Changes in default styles

Matplotlib website and online documentation

Output formats and backends 

Static output formats

Raster images

Vector images

Setting up Matplotlib

Installing Python

Python installation for Windows 

Python installation for macOS

Python installation for Linux

Installing Matplotlib

About the dependencies

Installing the pip Python package

manager

Installing Matplotlib with pip

Setting up Jupyter Notebook

Starting a Jupyter Notebook session

Running Jupyter Notebook on a remote

server
 Editing and running code

Manipulating notebook kernel and cells

Embed your Matplotlib plots

Documenting in Markdown

Save your hard work!

Summary

2. Getting Started with Matplotlib

Loading data

List

NumPy array

pandas DataFrame

Our first plots with Matplotlib

Importing the pyplot

Line plot

Scatter plot

Overlaying multiple data series in a plot

Multiline plots

Scatter plot to show clusters

Adding a trendline over a scatter plot

Adjusting axes, grids, labels, titles, and legends

Adjusting axis limits

 Adding axis labels

Adding a grid

Titles and legends

Adding a title

Adding a legend

A complete example

Saving plots to a file

Setting the output format

Setting the figure resolution

Jupyter support

Interactive navigation toolbar

Configuring Matplotlib

Configuring within Python code

Reverting to default settings

Global setting via configuration rc file

Finding the rc configuration file

Editing the rc configuration file

Summary
3. Decorating Graphs with Plot Styles and Types

Controlling the colors

Default color cycle

Single-lettered abbreviations for basic colors

Standard HTML color names

RGB or RGBA color code

Hexadecimal color code

Depth of grayscale

Colormaps

Creating custom colormaps

Line and marker styles

Marker styles

Choosing the shape of markers

Using custom characters as markers

Adjusting marker sizes and colors

Fine-tuning marker styles with keyword

arguments

Line styles

Color

Line thickness

Dash patterns
 Designing a custom dash style

Cap styles

Spines

More native Matplotlib plot types

Choosing the right plot

Histogram

Bar plot

Setting bar plot properties

Drawing bar plots with error bars using

multivariate data

Mean-and-error plots

Pie chart

Polar chart

Controlling radial and angular grids

Text and annotations

Adding text annotations

Font

Mathematical notations

Mathtext

LaTeX support
 External text renderer

Arrows

Using style sheets

Applying a style sheet

Creating own style sheet

Resetting to default styles

Aesthetics and readability considerations in styling

Suitable font styles

Effective use of colors

Keeping it simple

Summary

4. Advanced Matplotlib

Drawing Subplots

Initiating a figure with plt.figure()

Initiating subplots as axes

with plt.subplot()

Adding subplots with plt.figure.add_subplot()

Initiating an array of subplots

with plt.subplots()

Shared axes
 Setting the margin with plt.tight_layout()

Aligning subplots of different dimensions with

plt.subplot2grid()

Drawing inset plots with fig.add_axes()

Adjusting subplot dimensions post hoc with

plt.subplots_adjust

Adjusting axes and ticks

Customizing tick spacing with locators

Removing ticks with NullLocator

Locating ticks in multiples

with MultipleLocator

Locators to display date and time

Customizing tick formats with formatters

Using a non-linear axis scale

More on Pandas-Matplotlib integration

Showing distribution with the KDE plot

Showing the density of bivariate data with hexbin

plots

Expanding plot types with Seaborn 

Visualizing multivariate data with a heatmap

 Showing hierarchy in multivariate data with

clustermap

Image plotting

Financial plotting

3D plots with Axes3D

Geographical plotting

Basemap

GeoPandas

Summary

5. Embedding Matplotlib in GTK+3

Installing and setting up GTK+3

A brief introduction to GTK+3

Introduction to the GTK+3 signal system

Installing Glade

Designing the GUI using Glade

Summary

6. Embedding Matplotlib in Qt 5

A brief introduction to Qt 5 and PyQt 5

Differences between Qt 4 and PyQt 4

 Introducing QT Creator / QT Designer

Summary

7. Embedding Matplotlib in wxWidgets Using wxPython

A brief introduction to wxWidgets and wxPython

Embedding Matplotlib in a GUI from wxGlade

Summary

8. Integrating Matplotlib with Web Applications

Installing Docker

Docker for Windows users

Docker for Mac users

More about Django

Django development in Docker containers

Starting a new Django site

Installation of Django dependencies

Django environment setup

Running the development server

Showing Bitcoin prices using Django and Matplotlib

 Creating a Django app

Creating a simple Django view

Creating a Bitcoin candlestick view

Integrating more pricing indicators

Integrating the image into a Django template

Summary

9. Matplotlib in the Real World

Typical API data formats

CSV

JSON

Importing and visualizing data from a JSON API

Using Seaborn to simplify visualization tasks

Scraping information from websites

Matplotlib graphical backends

Non-interactive backends

Interactive backends

Creating animated plot

Summary

10. Integrating Data Visualization into the Workflow

Another Random Scribd Document
with Unrelated Content
 CHAPTER III.
Museum at Macao—Mr. Beale’s splendid aviary and gardens—The
Paradise bird—Natural history of this splendid creature—Anecdotes—
Superb magpie—Loris—Description of the aviary.

A museum has been established at Macao, by the English

residents, and even now contains an extensive and excellent
collection of birds, beasts, weapons, fossils, &c. from all parts of the
world. Several rooms are appropriated solely for this collection,
having a person to take charge of them, and attend upon visitors. So
little encouragement, however, is given to natural science, and the
European merchants are so much absorbed in mercantile affairs,
that, on the dissolution of the establishment of the Honourable East
India Company, this excellent nucleus for an extensive, valuable,
and, (with scientific arrangement,) useful collection, will no doubt be
broken up and dispersed.
The great object of attraction at Macao, (together with the
agreeable society of the English and American ladies, and the
beautiful specimens of the fine arts to be seen in the painting room
of the celebrated Chinnery,) is the splendid aviary and gardens of T.
Beale, Esq. How pleasant it is to see this gentleman (now resident
for upwards of forty years in China) devote his leisure moments to
the care and delight of the elegant and brilliant productions of
nature, both in the animal as well as in the vegetable kingdom. On
entering the large doors, which open from a narrow lane, the ear is
saluted by various noises proceeding from a number of caged birds,
inhabiting the verandah of the dwelling. The peculiar notes of the
Minas, the different screams of Loris, parrots, and parroquets, the
twitting of the smaller birds, are variously heard vying with each
other in loudness; the occasional caw of the ætherial Paradise Bird,
or its resounding note of whock, whock, whock, is also heard. The
attention of the visitor is diverted from the elegant plumage of the
birds to the beautiful flowers of splendid tints in the garden before
the verandah, or placed in pots upon the balcony. This garden
proves attractive to the gay, but fickle butterflies that flit about the
flowers, as well as to numerous wild birds. Individuals visiting Macao
are eager to view these splendid natural objects; and the liberal
owner readily affords this gratification to the stranger no less than to
his friends.
The first, both for variety as well as the inconceivable delicacy of
its plumage and tints, of which I intend to attempt a description, is
that “aërial creature” of fairy form, decked in nature’s most delicate
and beautiful colours, the Paradise Bird. This is the common or Great
Bird of Paradise, the Paradisea apoda[16] of Linnæus, the P. major of
Shaw. The length of the bird is usually two feet, measuring from the
bill to the tip of the side feathers. The specimen in the possession of
Mr. Beale, is a fine male, and was, at the time I beheld him, arrayed
in his full and splendid plumage: he is enclosed in a large and roomy
cage, so as not, by confinement, to injure in the slightest degree his
delicate and elegant feathers.
This beautiful creature has been in Mr. Beale’s possession nine
years, and was originally procured from the island of Bouro, (one of
the Molucca group,) which is situated in about the latitude of 3° 30′
south, and longitude 126° 30′ east. It was presented to Mr. Beale by
Mr. Bletterman.
In Valentin’s account of the Birds of Paradise, (quoted in Forrest’s
Voyage to New Guinea, &c.) it is mentioned that the Portuguese first
found these birds on the island of Gilolo, the Papua Islands, and
New Guinea; and they were known by the name of Passaros da sol,
i.e. birds of the sun. The inhabitants of Ternate call them Manuco
dewata, the bird of God. The accounts of the bird having no legs,
being constantly on the wing, and in the air, on which it lived, are of
course perfectly fabulous: to support which account, however, the
legs of the birds were always cut off, when the preserved specimens
were offered for sale. Another reason for cutting off the legs is, that
the birds are found to be more easily preserved without them;
besides, that the Moors wanted the birds without legs, in order to
put them, in their mock fights, on their helmets, as ornaments. The
inhabitants of Aroo, however, have offered the birds for sale with
legs these seventy or eighty years; and Pigafetta, shipmate of
Ferdinand Magelhaens, who had often seen them, proved, about the
year 1525, that they were not without legs. There are several
species of these very elegant birds.
The Ternate people call them Burong Papua, or Papua birds;
sometimes Manuco dewata, and likewise Soffu or Sioffu. The
Amboyna natives call them Manu, key, aroo, the bird of the islands,
Key and Aroo; because the natives of the two last places bring them
for sale to Banda and Amboyna. At Aroo, the people call them
Fanaan. Properly, these birds are not found in Key, which is fifty
Dutch miles east of Banda; but they are found at the Aroo islands
(lying fifteen Dutch miles further east than Key) during the westerly
or dry monsoon, and they return to New Guinea as soon as the
easterly or wet monsoon sets in. They come always in a flock of
thirty or forty, and are led by a bird which the inhabitants of Aroo
call the King, distinct from the Little King Bird of Paradise. This
leader is black, with red spots, and constantly flies higher than the
rest of the flock, which never forsake him, but settle as soon as he
settles; a circumstance which occasions their ruin, when their king
alights on the ground; whence they are not able to rise, on account
of the singular structure and disposition of their plumage. They are
likewise unable to fly with the wind, which would destroy their loose
plumage, but take their flight constantly against it, cautious not to
venture out in hard-blowing weather, inasmuch as a strong gale
frequently obliges them to fall to the ground. It is also stated, that in
Aroo, these birds settle on the highest trees, especially on a species
of small-leaved Waringa trees, that bear red berries, on which they
chiefly live. (Ficus Benjamina? Hort. Malab. 3. f. 55. Rumph.
Amboyn. 3. f. 90.) The natives catch them with birdlime[17] and in
nooses, or shoot them with blunt arrows; but though some are still
alive, when they fall into their hands, the catchers kill them
immediately; and often cut their legs off, draw the entrails, dry and
fumigate them with sulphur, or smoke only.[18]
For the delicacy and harmony in the arrangement of the colours in
this bird, as well as its remarkably light and delicate appearance, it
may well be named the Bird of the Sun, or of Paradise, for it
surpasses in beauty the whole of the feathered creation, appearing
more like a celestial inhabitant than one of earth. Although the bird
has been nine years in Mr. Beale’s aviary, yet it does not exhibit the
appearance of age, but is lively and healthy.
The neck of this bird is of a beautiful and delicate canary yellow
colour, blending gradually into the fine chocolate colour of the other
parts of the body; the wings are very short, and of a chocolate
colour. Underneath them, long, delicate, and gold-coloured feathers
proceed from the sides in two beautiful and graceful tufts, extending
far beyond the tail, which is also short, of a chocolate colour, with
two very long shafts of the same hue proceeding from the
urupigium. At the base of the mandibles the delicate plumage has
during one time (according as the rays of light are thrown upon it)
the appearance of fine black velvet, and at another a very dark
green, which contrasts admirably with the bright emerald of the
throat. There is nothing abrupt or gaudy in the plumage of this bird;
the colours harmonize in the most elegant manner, and the
chasteness does not fail of exciting our admiration. The mandibles
are of a light blue; irides bright yellow; and the feet of a lilac tint.
This elegant creature has a light, playful, and graceful manner,
with an arch and impudent look; dances about when a visitor
approaches the cage, and seems delighted at being made an object
of admiration: its notes are very peculiar, resembling the cawing of
the raven, but its tones are by far more varied.[19] During four
months of the year, from May to August, it moults. It washes itself
regularly twice daily, and after having performed its ablutions,
throws its delicate feathers up nearly over the head, the quills of
which feathers have a peculiar structure, so as to enable the bird to
effect this object. Its food, during confinement, is boiled rice, mixed
up with soft egg, together with plantains, and living insects of the
grasshopper tribe; these insects when thrown to him, the bird
contrives to catch in its beak with great celerity; it will eat insects in
a living state, but will not touch them when dead.
I observed the bird, previously to eating a grasshopper, given him
in an entire or unmutilated state, place the insect upon the perch,
keep it firmly fixed with the claws, and, divesting it of the legs,
wings, &c., devour it, with the head always placed first. The servant
who attends upon him to clean the cage, give him food, &c., strips
off the legs, wings, &c., of the insects when alive, giving them to the
bird as fast as he can devour them. It rarely alights upon the
ground, and so proud is the creature of its elegant dress, that it
never permits a soil to remain upon it, and it may frequently be seen
spreading out its wings and feathers, and regarding its splendid self
in every direction, to observe whether the whole of its plumage is in
an unsullied condition. It does not suffer from the cold weather
during the winter season at Macao, though exposing the elegant bird
to the bleak northerly wind is always very particularly avoided. Mr.
Beale is very desirous of procuring a living female specimen of this
bird, to endeavour, if possible, to breed them in his aviary.[20]
The sounds uttered by this bird are very peculiar; that which
appears to be a note of congratulation resembles somewhat the
cawing of a raven, but changes to a varied scale in musical
gradations, as he, hi, ho, haw, repeated rapidly and frequently, as
lively and playfully he hops round and along his perch, descending to
the second perch to be admired, and congratulate the stranger who
has made a visit to inspect him; he frequently raises his voice,
sending forth notes of such power as to be heard at a long distance,
and as it would scarcely be supposed so delicate a bird could utter;
these notes are whock, whock, whock, whock, uttered in a barking
tone, the last being given in a low note as a conclusion.
A drawing of the bird, of the natural size, was made by a Chinese
artist. This was taken one morning to the original, who paid a
compliment to the artist, by considering it one of his own species.
The bird advanced stedfastly towards the picture, uttering at the
same time its cawing congratulatory notes; it did not appear excited
by rage, but pecked gently at the representation, jumping about the
perch, knocking its mandibles together with a clattering noise, and
cleaning them against the perch, as if welcoming the arrival of a
companion.
After the trial with the picture, a looking-glass was brought, to see
what effect it would produce upon the bird, and the result was
nearly the same; he regarded the reflection of himself most
stedfastly in the mirror, never quitting it during the time it remained
before him. When the glass was removed to the lower, from the
upper perch, he instantly followed, but would not descend upon the
floor of the cage when it was placed so low.
It seemed impatient, hopping about without withdrawing its gaze
from the mirror, uttering the usual cawing notes, but with evident
surprise that the reflected figure (or, as he seemed to regard it, his
opponent) imitated so closely all his actions, and was as watchful as
himself. There was, however, on his part, no indication of
combativeness by any elevation of the feathers, nor was any
irritation displayed at not being able to approach nearer to the
supposed new comer from his own native land. His attention was
directed to the mirror during the time it remained before him, but
when removed he went quietly and composed himself upon the
upper perch, as if nothing had excited him.
One of the best opportunities of seeing this splendid bird in all its
beauty of action, as well as display of plumage, is early in the
morning, when he makes his toilet; the beautiful sub-alar plumage is
then thrown out and cleaned from any spot that may sully its purity,
by being passed gently through the bill; the short, chocolate-
coloured wings are extended to the utmost, and he keeps them in a
steady flapping motion, as if in imitation of their use in flight, at the
same time raising up the delicate long feathers over the back, which
are spread in a chaste and elegant manner, floating like films in the
ambient air. In this position the bird would remain for a short time,
seemingly proud of its heavenly beauty, and in raptures of delight
with its most enchanting self; it will then assume various attitudes,
so as to regard its plumage in every direction.
I never yet beheld a soil on its feathers. After expanding the wings
it would bring them together so as to conceal the head, then,
bending it gracefully, it would inspect the state of its plumage
underneath. This action is repeated in quick succession, uttering at
the time its croaking notes; it then pecks and cleans its plumage in
every part within reach, and throwing out the elegant and delicate
tuft of feathers underneath the wings, seemingly with much care,
and with not a little pride, they are cleaned in succession, if
required, by throwing them abroad, elevating, and passing them in
succession through the bill. Then, turning its back to the spectator,
the actions above-mentioned are repeated, but not in so careful a
manner; elevating its tail and long shaft feathers, it raises the
delicate plumage of a similar character to the sub-alar, forming a
beautiful dorsal crest, and, throwing its feathers up with much
grace, appears as proud as a lady dressed in her full ball-dress.
Having completed the toilet, he utters the usual cawing notes, at the
same time looking archly at the spectators, as if ready to receive all
the admiration that it considers its elegant form and display of
plumage demands; it then takes exercise by hopping in a rapid, but
graceful manner, from one end of the upper perch to the other, and
descends suddenly upon the second perch, close to the bars of the
cage, looking out for the grasshoppers, which it is accustomed to
receive at this time.
Should any person place his finger into the cage the bird darts at
it rapidly; if it is inserted and withdrawn quickly, the slightly-curved
extremity of the upper mandible causes the intruder to receive a
sharp peck, but if the finger is placed quietly in the cage, close to
the beak of the animal, he grasps and thrusts it out, as if hinting
that he dislikes its intrusion.
His prehensile power in the feet is very strong, and, still retaining
his hold, the bird will turn himself round upon the perch. He delights
to be sheltered from the glare of the sun, as that luminary is a great
source of annoyance to him, if permitted to dart its fervent rays
directly upon the cage. The iris frequently expanding and
contracting, adds to the arch, wicked look of this animated bird, as
he throws the head on one side to glance at visitors, uttering the
cawing notes, or barking aloud, to the astonishment of the auditors,
who regard the bird as being in a very great rage at something or
other beyond their conception. Having concluded, he jumps down to
the lower perch in search of donations of living grasshoppers,
seemingly in the most happy and good-humoured manner.
The bird is not at all ravenous in its habits of feeding; but it eats
rice leisurely, almost grain by grain. Should any of the insects thrown
into his cage fall on the floor, he will not descend to them, appearing
to be fearful that in so doing he should soil his delicate plumage; he
therefore seldom or ever descends, except to perform his ablutions
in the pan of water placed at the bottom of the cage expressly for
his use.
Near the “Paradise Bird,” in another large cage, is the Superb
Magpie, having all the thievish propensities, with the usual saucy
manner of the tribe; its plumage is beautiful, the principal colour
being in splendid purple markings; the bill is of an orange colour;
like dogs and children, it seems fond of being noticed; it welcomes
visitors by spreading its long and elegant tail, as well as by raising
and showing off its pretty plumage to the best advantage, looking
out sharply for insects, and, at the same time, uttering a peculiar
noise which somewhat resembles that which is heard from a monkey
in distress. When insects are given to this bird, he is not so
particular as his neighbour, but devours them instantly entire, either
dead or alive, looking immediately afterwards for another supply.
The food given to it is boiled rice, grasshoppers, &c. Like others of
its tribe, it is fond of pilfering and concealing whatever is heedlessly
left in its way, and it can carry off. To speak phrenologically, its
acquisitiveness is large, and conscientiousness small.
 Several beautiful Loris, from the islands of the eastern
Archipelago, clothed in brilliant and gaudy plumage, are in the
collection. Among these are the Amboyna and Ternate Loris, called
Kustoree in the language of the natives; the King parrot of New
South Wales, (Platycercus scapulatus,) and others of the parrot tribe
from different parts of the world. I observed an Indian ring-neck
parroquet, with its breast, for the whole extent, bare of feathers; (in
which state it has been for five years and upwards, and as the
glands are destroyed they cannot be renewed; the loss of plumage
was attributed originally to giving the creature salt meat;) its long
tail is quite perfect. This ridiculous-looking, half-fledged production
of the parrot tribe, gets upon and clings to the bars of its cage on
any person approaching, and commences to exercise all its power of
language to amuse the visitor. There are also some pretty Minas
from Cochin China, who imitate, in their peculiar voice, not only all
the sounds uttered by the birds around them, but also the various
cries of the Chinese, when vending their wares about the streets;
the imitation is strictly correct.
From the lower garden,—which is filled with choice flowering
shrubs and plants,—an ascent of a flight of steps brings the visitor to
another garden on a terrace, to which there is also an entrance from
the upper rooms of the dwelling-house: here the large and
magnificent aviary is situated. Both in external appearance, and
internal arrangement, there is a display of much taste and elegance,
and every arrangement calculated to ensure comfort to its numerous
feathered inhabitants. The aviary is forty feet in length by twenty in
breadth, and probably thirty or forty feet high; it is divided into two
portions, having communications from one to the other, usually left
open, but capable of being closed, if such a proceeding should be
found necessary. It is situated on one side of the house, the
windows of which look through the lattice-work into the aviary: the
whole of the aviary, above and around, having a similar lattice work
of fine wire, surmounted by a dome at one part of the summit. The
whole construction displays much neatness and taste, as well as
being admirably calculated for the object in view; the wood-work,
between the wire-lattice, is very ornamental; the song of some of
the birds, with the bustle and twittering of others, as they hop
about, or take their flight from tree to tree, has a very animating and
pleasing effect from the sitting-rooms of the house.
In the aviary large trees and various shrubs are planted for the
convenience of the inhabitants: in the branches of the former, small
baskets, as nests, are placed for those birds whose habits cause
them to build in trees, and in those places many of the present
inhabitants of the aviary have been born and reared. Near a tank,
constantly filled with water, a quantity of artificial rock-work is
constructed, forming an ornament to the aviary as well as a place of
utility for the birds of that class who are accustomed to such
situations when at liberty, and who breed in the crevices; every
precaution is likewise taken around the aviary to prevent the ingress
of rats, who, by getting in when it was first constructed, caused
much destruction among the feathered tribe.
It may certainly be said, that all the pets look full of life, and
happy and contented in their situation; they chirp, sing, wash, feed,
are merry, and, having abundance of room, their plumage looks
healthy and beautiful, so unlike the dirty ragged appearance they
soon exhibit when kept in a close, confined place, which, in a short
period, brings on disease, and eventually death. Here they can wash
themselves every morning, and they appear always eager to perform
their matinal ablutions; their unsullied plumage, the song or twitter
of delight with which they reward their benefactor, show how happy
and contented they are in their confinement.
In the aviary are separate cages, erected for the purpose of
inclosing such of the males of any of the species, as may have their
combative organs in too high a degree of excitement; the
punishment for such troublesome characters is, therefore, in the first
place, solitary confinement, and should they not be reformed under
that treatment, they are finally dismissed the aviary as incorrigibles.
It is delightful to visit the aviary at a very early hour in the
morning, when the whole of the inhabitants are in the greatest
confusion, the servants busily engaged in cleaning the habitation,
and giving supplies of food to the colony; the “plumy people” appear
in the plenitude of happiness, hopping from branch to branch, or
running along the ground, their little throats strain with harmony:
the soft cooing of the numerous pigeon tribe is heard as well as the
quacking sounds of the duck tribe, who are not gifted with any other
more harmonious notes. It is at this time that we can also observe
the querulous disposition of these animals. The males of one and the
same kind, or of different species, endeavour to grasp all the
supplies for themselves, unmindful of the wants of others, and will
not permit their companions to perform their ablutions without
molestation, although they may have themselves completed what
they required. I often observed the mandarin ducks excite the
drakes to attack other males or females of the same species, as well
as any other kind of bird (not too powerful) in the aviary, against
whom the lady may have taken a dislike from some cause or causes
unknown to us: there always appears to be one pair, who exercise a
tyranny over the others, not permitting them to wash, eat, or drink,
unless at the pleasure of these little aristocrats.
As the shades of evening close in, the aviary is again in a bustle,
the birds setting themselves in their various roosting places for the
night, and keeping up a continual chattering, until the whole colony
is buried in silence and hidden in darkness. The Paradise Bird then
sits tranquilly upon his perch, and no more greets the stranger, but
stares in stupid amazement at the late visit. The cages of this, and
the other birds in the verandah, are very carefully covered up at
night to protect them from cats, or any other midnight prowlers.
It once happened, during a total eclipse of the sun, as that
luminary became overshadowed, the “feathered colony,” if not in a
consternation at the event, was exceedingly puzzled at the rapid and
unusual termination of the day, and all retired supperless to bed;
they received, however, a second surprise at the briefness of the
night, for before they could be well asleep, the cocks crowed at the
reappearance of the luminary, and they again resumed their daily
amusements and occupations.
 CHAPTER IV.
Reeves’s pheasants—Golden pheasants—Silver pheasants—Blue pigeons
—Stabbed-breast pigeons—Widow birds—The horned Tragopan—The
mandarin teal—Conjugal fidelity—Nicobar pigeons—Peacock
pheasants—Pink cockatoo—The Ounderou monkey—A Pitta—Mr.
Beale’s gardens—Rare productions of the vegetable kingdom—Native
drawings—Extortionate custom.

In the aviary, the beautiful Phasianus veneratus of Temminck; the

P. Reevesii of Gray, now commonly known by the name of Reeves’s
Pheasant, was seen: it is the Chee Kai[21] of the Chinese. The
longest of the beautiful tail feathers of this bird are six feet in length,
and are placed in the caps of the players, when acting military
characters: this I observed at Canton, where some of the beautiful
tail feathers (rather in a dirty condition, like the actors themselves,
who, in their tawdry and dirty dresses, remind one of chimney-
sweepers in London on May-day) were placed erect, on each side of
their caps, as a decoration. The Chinese do not venerate this bird, as
was first supposed, and which may have caused Temminck to
bestow upon it the specific name of veneratus; but it is
superstitiously believed that the blood of this bird is possessed of
poisonous properties, and that the mandarins, when in expectation
of losing their rank, and being suddenly put to death by order of the
emperor, preserve some of it, in a dried state, upon a handkerchief,
on sucking which they fall down and instantly expire. I heard the
male of this bird, in the aviary, utter a very sweet, mild, and
harmonious, whistling note, as it strutted about proudly, arrayed in
its elegant plumage; occasionally approaching near the wires of its
habitation, to let the visitors notice and admire him. The ends of the
longest feathers of the tail in the living specimen were broken,
although in this place of confinement there is much extent for his
movements; but the feathers are too long ever to expect them to be
preserved perfect in any confined place.
Mr. Beale first succeeded in procuring a living male specimen of
this elegant bird in 1808, and kept it in a healthy state for thirteen
years. After its death, he endeavoured to procure others, but did not
succeed until the year 1831. Four specimens were brought, from the
interior of China, to Mr. Beale’s aviary, and purchased for one
hundred and thirty dollars. These specimens were those, I believe,
subsequently taken to England by Mr. Reeves. A female of this
elegant creature has not yet been procured, although large offers
have been made for one. Much difficulty has been experienced in
procuring from the Chinese, female birds of the Reeves’s or golden
pheasants: many think it proceeds from a desire of preventing the
birds being bred; but it may more correctly be attributable to the
difficulty of persuading the Chinese that the females can at all be an
object of attraction, or worthy of purchase, from being deficient in
the brilliant plumage of the male birds; and it is probable that they
misunderstand the person who requests females to be brought, and
therefore male specimens are usually brought in place of them. A
drawing of this bird was sent to England, by Mr. Beale, in 1804; and
on the death, before mentioned, of the first living specimen ever
seen by Europeans in China, it was stuffed, and presented to a
gentleman belonging to the Dutch Factory at Canton, who expressed
a great desire to send it to Holland, as it would materially favour his
interest at home: it was, therefore, sent thither in 1817, or 1818,
and was very probably the specimen from which Temminck’s
description was given.
The golden, or painted pheasants, (Phasianus pictus,) now so well
known even at home, are decked in elegant plumage: it can,
however, be no compliment to their harmonious blending of colours,
to call them painted, although the epithet may be considered very
applicable to their general gaudy appearance. Their brilliant tints
excite more admiration in vulgar minds than the delicate pencilling of
the silver pheasant, or the less gaudy but more elegant tinting of
plumage in the Reeves’s, or the ring-neck pheasants. The painted
pheasant is called Kum, kai,[22] or Kin, kai, by the Chinese: the eggs
of the bird are described as being white, with brown spots. These
beautiful birds are brought from the districts of Che, Kien, and
Keang, nan.
The male of this bird, when courting the female, or bullying the
males, conceals the purple feathers of the wings with the golden
feathers of the back, at the same time bringing those feathers, seen
like a hood upon the back of the neck, forward, and concealing the
bill; thus, on whatever side the object of attack or courtship may be,
the hood is so brought as to hide all but the sharp, bright eye. The
attitudes of this, as well as of others of the pheasant tribe, are
invariably graceful, whether upon the ground, or perched upon the
branches of a tree.
The silver, or pencilled pheasants, the Pah, haan of the Chinese,
were in fine plumage; and among many other attractions in the
collection, was the Wow, wow, or blue pigeon, of New South Wales,
which has bred in the aviary. The present, full-grown and fine
specimens of that bird, Mr. Beale told me, were the young of a pair
originally brought from Australia. They were born and reared in the
aviary, and the parents died a short time since. There were also
several of the stabbed-breast pigeons, (Columba cruenta,) from
Manilla, whose breasts exhibited the exact appearance of having
received a wound; the feathers, for a short distance, seeming to be
smeared with the blood which flowed from it. What could have
caused this very extraordinary and exact resemblance?
Widow Birds are peculiar objects of attraction; they are of a
diminutive size, and their flight and hopping motion, when jumping
or flitting from branch to branch, reminded one of the unsettled
disposition of widows in most countries. So rapid were their
evolutions, that at times it was difficult for the eye to follow them.
They had certainly a beautiful appearance, arrayed in their dark
plumage, with a tinge of yellow over the male. The male of the
widow-bird is like the female for four months of the year, about the
spring season.
 There is a species of Tringa, or Turnstone, which was lately
brought by Captain Duran, who presented it to Mr. Beale: it was
caught alive three hundred miles from the nearest land, in lat. 15°
north, and 169° east longitude.
Another beautiful bird, which merits some notice, is that elegant
creature, the Tragopan satyrus, or horned Tragopan: it is the Tû,
Xoû, Nieu, of the Chinese, and may receive an appropriate English
name in the Medallion Pheasant, from a beautiful membrane of
resplendent colours, (more or less brilliant, according to the
excitement the bird may be in at the time,) which is displayed or
contracted at the will of the animal; at which time its purple horns
are also elevated: this appearance is usually observed during the
months of January to March, when courting the female. In the
contracted state it has merely the appearance of a purple skin under
the lower mandible, and sometimes there is not the slightest
indication of the existence of any membrane in that situation. The
colours are most brilliant, being principally purple, with bright red
and green spots; they are vivid and dazzling, varying, as in the
wattle of the turkey-cock, according to the greater or lesser degree
of passion exhibited by the bird. It is supposed, and no doubt
correctly, that it is only to be found in the male specimens of this
bird, for a female has not yet been seen. This beautiful appendage is
never perceived to descend, excepting during the spring months or
pairing season of the year. The birds in Mr. Beale’s aviary were
procured from the Yun-nan province, bordering upon the country of
Thibet: he has not, however, succeeded in his endeavours to obtain
females of this elegant bird. I have coloured drawings of this bird in
my possession, correctly executed by a Chinese artist.[23]
The Mandarin Teal, or Een-yêong of the Chinese, is also much and
justly admired. The plumage of the drake is remarkably elegant, that
of the female plain and undecorated. The male bird, however, during
four months of the year, that is, from May to August, changes its
beautiful plumage, and bears a close resemblance, at that time, to
the female. This change is not confined solely to the tints of the
feathers, but extends even to the epidermis of the mandibles. This
bird, unlike the tribe, generally roosts in elevated situations, upon
trees, high rocks, or over the windows of the aviary. These little
creatures are regarded by the Chinese as emblems of conjugal
fidelity, and are usually carried about in their marriage processions.
The following curious instance of fidelity was mentioned to me, as
having occurred in the instance of two birds of this species:—A drake
was stolen one night, with some other birds, from Mr. Beale’s aviary;
the beautiful male was alone taken; the poor duck, in spite of her
quacks during the distressing scene, was left behind. The morning
following the loss of her husband the female was seen in a most
disconsolate condition; brooding in secret sorrow, she remained in a
retired part of the aviary, pondering over the severe loss she had
just sustained.
Whilst she was thus delivering her soul to grief, a gay, prim drake,
who had not long before lost his dear duck, which had been
accidentally killed, trimmed his beautiful feathers, and, appearing
quite handsome, pitying the forlorn condition of the bereaved,
waddled towards her; and, after devoting much of his time and all
his attention to the unfortunate female, he offered her his
protection, and made a thousand promises to treat her with more
kindness and attention than her dear, dear, lost drake; she, however,
refused all his offers, having made, in audible quacks, a solemn vow
to live and die a widow, if her mate did not return. From the day she
met with her loss, she neglected her usual avocations; her plumage
became ragged and dirty; she was regardless of her appearance;
forsook her food, and usual scenes of delight, where she loved to
roam with him, now absent, and to excite his brave spirit to drive
away all the rivals that might attempt even to approach them. But
those fleeting hours of enjoyment had passed, perhaps never to
return; and no consolation that could be offered by any of her tribe
had the least effect. Every endeavour was made to recover the lost
bird, as it was not expected that the beautiful creature would be
killed.
 Some time had elapsed after the loss, when a person, accidentally
passing a hut, overheard some Chinese of the lower class conversing
together; he understood sufficient of their language to find out that
they said, “It would be a pity to kill so handsome a bird.”—“How,
then,” said another, “can we dispose of it?” The hut was noted, as it
was immediately suspected that the lost Mandarin drake was the
subject of the conversation. A servant was sent, and, after some
trouble, recovered the long-lost drake by paying four dollars for him.
He was then brought back to the aviary in one of the usual cane
cages.
As soon as the bird recognized the aviary, he expressed his joy by
quacking vehemently and flapping his wings. An interval of three
weeks had elapsed since he was taken away by force; but when the
forlorn duck heard the note of her lost husband, she quacked, even
to screaming, with ecstacy, and flew as far as she could in the aviary
to greet him on his restoration. Being let out from the cage, the
drake immediately entered the aviary—the unfortunate couple were
again united; they quacked, crossed necks, bathed together, and
then are supposed to have related all their mutual hopes and fears
during the long separation.
One word more on the unfortunate widower, who kindly offered
consolation to the duck when overwhelmed with grief: she in a most
ungrateful manner informed her drake of the impudent and gallant
proposals he made to her during his absence;—it is merely
supposition that she did so; but at all events the result was, that the
recovered drake attacked the other, the day subsequent to his
return, pecked his eyes out, and inflicted on him so many other
injuries, as to occasion his death in a few days. Thus did this
unfortunate drake meet with a premature and violent death for his
kindness and attention to a disconsolate lady. It may perhaps be
correctly written on a tablet over his grave—“A victim to conjugal
fidelity.”
Several of the beautiful Nicobar pigeons are also in the aviary, and
are usually seen perched upon the trees, even upon the loftiest
branches. They build their rude nests and rear their young upon
trees, similar to all the pigeon tribe. They usually come down to feed
upon the ground, but return to their elevated situation to repose
during the night and most part of the day. Their plumage is of a
splendid bronze, and their shape most graceful; but the long loose
plumage pending from the breast, which they seem to delight in
ruffling out, in some degree conceals their beauteous form, as seen
in others of the tribe who have a smoother and more delicate
plumage. These birds inhabit Sumatra, Nicobar, and other islands
forming the eastern archipelago.[24]
Two elegant peacock pheasants from Cochin China; the jungle
cock and hen from Java; the bright scarlet cardinal; the crested
partridge from the Malay peninsula; the pretty and delicate Java
sparrows; several of the Chinese water-fowl; and numerous doves,
adorn and enliven this interesting place.[25]
A beautiful pink cockatoo, from the eastern islands, attached to a
hanging perch, is placed near the aviary; and a large, elegant
Persian cat, with fur of a most delicate silky texture, is seen attached
by a long string to a tree. The docile creature reposes during the
fine sunny weather upon the grass-plot in front of the aviary. The
two latter are removed into the house at night, and placed in the
garden during fine and serene weather.
Upon a large tree, also, on the terrace, near the aviary, is a fine
female specimen of the Ounderou monkey of Ceylon (Simia silenus
et leonina, Gm.) The fur of the animal is black, with a large white
mane falling over on each side of the head. This specimen is nearly
two feet high, but does not walk in the erect position. A house is
placed for it in the branches of the tree, and the animal is secured
by a chain, with a moveable ring, passing round a lofty bamboo,
which communicates with the tree; so that Jenny, as the creature is
called, can ascend or descend from the tree, and range for a certain
extent through the branches, or for a short distance over the
ground, when she descends. She is not readily attracted by
strangers, unless they excite her alimentiveness by displaying some
food. Her appearance is very ludicrous,—the black physiognomy
peering through the huge white mane, when she is seen peeping
from her kennel in the tree, exercising her secretiveness by
pretending, when called, not to notice or understand, while, in
reality, her attention is directed towards the person who may be
addressing her. But, let some fruit be displayed—rapid as thought
she slides down the bamboo, and is close to the object of attraction.
Do not imagine, stranger, that you are the object of attraction—as in
the plenitude of your vanity you might;—no, she is paying a devoted
attention to your donations of oranges or plantains, which having
attained, she will soon forsake your society to enjoy the proceeds of
her efforts upon the branches of the tree, far removed from your
reach.
One morning, when I was visiting Mr. Beale, a bird had been just
received, which was purchased in Canton from a Mantchow Tartar: it
was a Pitta, and supposed to be the P. brachyura of Gould, figured in
his splendid illustrations of the birds of the Himalaya mountains; but,
from the red abdomen and vent, it appeared to accord more with
the species called P. erythrogastra of Temminck; it was in excellent
condition, very tame, feeding on insects, boiled rice, &c. This
specimen was mentioned as having been procured from Tartary; but
the habitat of the first species is usually stated in our works on
Natural History to be Ceylon and the Himalayas, and the second the
Philippine islands.
Much care is required when the aviary is painted, to prevent the
birds being injured, not alone from their pecking it, but, from getting
the paint upon their feathers, as they eat it when cleaning their
soiled plumage; the aviary is therefore painted as seldom as
possible, and, when done, the interior of the painted part is lined
with mats, until thoroughly dry.
The gardens around the dwelling-house display the taste of Mr.
Beale, (in spite of the frequent destructive effects of the typhoons,)
in arrangement, as well as choice of rare and valuable productions of
the vegetable kingdom. Among others may be mentioned the Laurus
Cassia, or China cinnamon, the leaves of which, and every part of
the tree, yield, on being broken or rubbed, a most powerful and
agreeable fragrance. Here also is a beautiful species of Nauclea, of
the elevation of sixty or seventy feet, and a circumference of two
feet; it was of straight growth, covered by a profusion of beautiful
flowers in corymbs, and was branchy only at or near the summit.
There were also some young trees of Cookea punctata, which bears
the fruit called Whampee by the Chinese, and another species of the
same genus from Manilla, which differed, however, materially from
the preceding, from the foliage having a very strong taste and smell
of aniseed: from this peculiarity it has been named Cookea anisetta.
Besides a multitude of the Chrysanthemum indica of different
brilliant hues, in which China is so prolific, both for the number, size,
and beauty of the varieties, Mr. Beale has a low shrubby species
from Japan, which bears a profusion of small dark-red flowers. I saw
a beautiful drawing of one of the plants in full bloom, but the plant
itself, at the time of my departure from Macao, had not entirely
expanded its flowers.[26] There is a flourishing plant of the single
Japanese Caucus,[27] numerous varieties of the beautiful Chinese
Camellias, several species of Bauhinias from India, and the Black
Chilly plant also from India. The fruit of this latter plant, before
attaining maturity, is perfectly black, or rather, as a true black does
not exist in the vegetable kingdom, a purplish black, but when ripe it
becomes red; the stem, &c. of the plant has also a dark tinge. Two
species of Annona, indigenous to China, and removed from its wild
state in the vicinity of Macao to this garden, particularly attracted my
notice; one is probably an undescribed species; it is found growing
upon the hills near Macao. The tree was now both in fruit and flower,
the latter being very fragrant; the Chinese name it the Hill Annona,
or, in their language, Shan, Ying, Chāo; the other species is the A.
uncata, called by the Chinese, Ying, Chāo.
In a pond in the garden are some beautiful specimens of the
Golden Carp, (Cyprinus auratus, Linn.) which inhabits the lakes of
southern China; the tail has a trifid form, the anal fins become
double, and they appear subject to several variations, which, when
depicted in drawings, has caused many to regard them as merely
specimens, proceeding from the imagination of the artist. At night
the ponds are covered with a gauze frame, to preserve the finned
creatures from nocturnal enemies; but with all the precautions used,
the kingfishers sometimes capture them, and many had received
injury, although they escaped from those depredators.
A number of the Chinese varieties of oranges are in the garden,
including the Citrus nobilis, or Mandarin orange, and numerous
others.[28]
There were also several plants of a species of Lycopodium, planted
in pots, and kept well watered; it is an elegant species, rising from a
stalk of about five inches in height, having on the summit its peculiar
foliage, sometimes expanded and sometimes closed. This is a very
ornamental plant; it resembles the species given me at Manilla,
which I was told had been procured from Mexico, where it is found
growing upon the rocks; and although kept for years in a dried state,
revives and expands its foliage when placed in the water.[29]
There is a plantain-tree frequently seen growing in the gardens,
which is called Fāā, tsieu, or red flowering plantain, by the Chinese.
The anthers appear fertile, but it is said not to produce fruit; the
flower proceeds from the centre of the upper part of the stem,
growing erect, the scapes being of a crimson colour, frequently
tipped with yellow: this plant has a very ornamental appearance in
the gardens. I remarked also, in several of the plants, that many of
the scapes become partially changed to floral leaflets, and the others
remain in their original state.
The roots, or rather the creeping stem of the Lien, wha, of the
Chinese, (Nelumbium speciosum,) are seen carried about for sale in
the streets of Macao and Canton, as well as in large quantities in the
bazaars. Although highly esteemed by the Chinese, I do not admire
it as an esculent vegetable, being of a soft, pappy, and tasteless
flavour; the only gratification derived from it is found in the growth
of the plant and elegance of its blossom. According to Dr. Abel, the
Chinese cultivate and prize it above all other plants. “This splendid
flower,” he says, “celebrated for its beauty by the Chinese poets, and
ranked for its virtues among the plants which, according to Chinese
theology, enter into the beverage of immortality, flourished in the
greatest vigour in the gardens of Tung, chow. Its tulip-like blossoms
of many petals, tinted with the most delicate pink, hung over its fan-
like leaves, floated on the surface of the water, or rising on long
footstalks, of unequal height, bent them into elegant curves, and
shaded with graceful festoons the plants beneath. Near Yuen-Ming-
Yuen, and under the walls of Pekin,” continues Dr. Abel, “I saw it
covering, with pink and yellow blossoms, large tracts of land, and
could sympathise with the enthusiasm of the Chinese bards, who
have sung of the delight of moonlight excursions on rivers, covered
with the flowering Lien, wha. Its seeds, in size and form, like a small
acorn without its cup, are eaten green, or dried as nuts, and are
often preserved as sweetmeats; they have a nut-like flower. Its
roots, sometimes as thick as the arm, of a pale green without, and
whitish within, in a raw state, are eaten as fruit, being juicy, and of a
sweetish and refreshing flavour, and when boiled are served as
vegetables. The leaves are said to possess a strengthening quality;
the seed vessel to cure the colic, to facilitate parturition, and to
counteract the effects of poison.”[30]
The Arachis hypogæa, or ground nuts, are sold in great
abundance in the bazaars, and about the streets of Macao and
Canton, and are much eaten by the Chinese, who also extract an oil
from the seeds for a variety of purposes.
Mr. Beale presented me with drawings by a Chinese artist, of the
plants from which the pith, used in the manufacture of that kind of
paper known to Europeans under the denomination of rice-paper,
and that from which the fibre used in the manufacture of the grass-
cloth is procured. I suspect that the fibre used for the Manilla
senimaya, or grass-cloth, is not produced from the Musa textilis, as
is commonly supposed, which point has not, although often asserted
by writers, been actually decided; it is more probably produced from
a plant similar to that used by the Chinese, which is Corchorus,
probably capsularis.
The following engraving is from the Chinese drawing.
The pith plant is procured from Oan, nāām, near the province of
See, chuen, and is named, in the language of the country, Toong
Shue,[31] and the following representation may convey some idea of
the shrub, and assist persons visiting China to procure, if possible,
specimens in flower or fructification.

CORCHORUS CAPSULARIS.

The grass-cloth plant is produced in great abundance, both in a

wild and cultivated state, in the provinces of Fo, kien, and Che, kien,
and is named by the Chinese Māā, Shūe.[32]
 TOONG SHUE.

That curious plant, the Nepenthes distillatoria, or monkey-cup of

the Malays, is occasionally found abundant near running streams,
upon the islands in the vicinity of Macao; the Chinese name it the
pig-basket grass, (Chu, long, tzo,[33]) from the appendages or
pitchers of the leaves having, when placed horizontally, some
resemblance to the form of the baskets in which the pigs are carried
to market. The Chinese avail themselves of the well-known obstinacy
of these animals, and by that means succeed in getting the beast
into the narrow conveyance; by placing the head of the animal close
to the entrance of the basket, and pulling the creature by the tail, it
enters immediately.
The dwarf trees are certainly one of the curiosities of the
vegetable kingdom in China, being a joint production of nature and
art: they are very small, placed in pots of various kinds, upon the
backs of earthenware buffaloes, frogs, towers, and rock-work, which
constitutes the Chinese taste in what these people would be pleased
to term “ornamental gardening.” The plants have all the growth and
appearance of an antiquated tree, but of an exceedingly diminutive
size. Elms, bamboos, and other trees, are treated in this manner,
and are abundant in the nursery gardens about Macao and Canton:
they are produced from young healthy branches, selected from a
large tree, which, being decorticated and covered with a mixture of
clay and chopped straw, as soon as they give out roots, are cut off
and transplanted: the branches are then tied in the various forms
required, so as to oblige them to grow in particular positions; and
many other methods are adopted to confine and prevent the
spreading of the root; the stems, or perhaps they might then be
termed trunks, are smeared with sugar, and holes are bored in them,
in which sugar is also placed to attract the ants, who, eating about
it, give the trunk an appearance of age. I saw at Mr. Beale’s a
number of dwarf trees, which have been in his possession nearly
forty years; and the only operation performed to keep them in that
peculiar and curious state, is to clip the sprigs that may sprout out
too luxuriantly.
There is an infamous custom existing at Macao, obliging
Europeans, arriving or taking their departure in Chinese boats, to
pay several dollars to the mandarins. Great blame is certainly
attached to the imbecility of the Portuguese government, for
permitting such proceedings to take place in their city, and not far
distant from the house of the governors. It has been said, “if
strangers will resist the demand, the governor will support them.”
This is a miserable system of legislation, and can only be construed
into a fear of the Chinese by the Macao government, which I really
believe is the truth. Strangers arriving are beset by these pug-nosed,
pig’s-eyed followers of the mandarins, and find they are absolutely
forced to comply with their demands, except they choose to be
bullied and severely beaten by a multitude, which has often taken
place when resistance has been made to their demands. Why, if the
governor has the power, does he not overthrow the chop-house into
the sea, and by such active measures put a stop to the tax
altogether? It is certainly disagreeable, after a long voyage, with
ladies under your charge, to be bullied by these scoundrels, very
probably some Portuguese soldiers and residents looking on at the
same time without offering any assistance. It is not demanded of
strangers at Canton: why, therefore, is it at Macao? A demand also is
made separately for ladies landing; and should a refusal take place,
the unfortunate Chinese boatmen are squeezed, to satisfy the
cupidity of the mandarins, or the ladies insulted. Passengers and
goods landing in European boats are exempt from this imposition, as
well as on embarking; so that the tax is confined to Europeans
embarking or arriving in Chinese boats.
 CHAPTER V.
Leave Macao for Whampoa—Entrance to the Bocca Tigris—Country about
Chuen, pee—Scene at Whampoa—Approach to Canton—The town
and suburbs—The sailor’s coffee-shop—Selling by weight—Dwarf
orange trees—The tea shrub—Visit to the celebrated Fa-tee gardens
—Topics of conversation—Exaggeration—Rambles in the suburbs—
The city-gate—Manufactories—Sandal-wood.

On the 16th of October I left Macao for the “Cum, sing, moon,”
and the following morning sailed in the Lady Hayes, Captain Hector,
for Whampoa, which afforded me an excellent opportunity of
viewing the scenery of the river. We passed the island of Lintin, off
which, (in the roadstead, on the north-west side,) a number of ships
were lying at anchor. About ten p.m. we anchored off Chuen, pee, for
the night. On the morning following, as soon as the tide was
favourable, we were again under weigh, and about noon passed,
with a light, but favourable breeze, the Bocca Tigris, and entered the
river. This entrance to a very magnificent and extensive stream, is
capable of being very strongly fortified. The Chinese have forts,
mounting a great number of cannon, erected on each side of the
passage: they excited some degree of interest in our minds, as being
those silenced by the broadside of his Majesty’s ship Alceste, some
years since; a triumph of British firmness over Chinese impudence.
The country about Chuen, pee had a picturesque appearance; but
although we hear so much related about the Chinese cultivating
every spot of land, not leaving even the most barren spots
unoccupied, in few countries have I seen more land left waste, much
of which has an appearance of fertility: the valleys certainly were
cultivated, and had an animated and pleasing feature in the
landscape from the vivid green of the numerous plantations of what
seemed to be sugar-cane scattered about. But with this exception,
and the neat cottages nearly buried in the foliage of the trees
surrounding them, there was no interesting view: the elevated land
was, principally bare, barren, and uncultivated.
On entering the river, the scenery was very pleasing; the banks
were low, and, for the most part, under rice cultivation, which, still
retaining its green tinge, imparted a luxuriant and animating beauty
to the view. Small huts were scattered about, over which the
graceful bamboo waved its towering stem; the high and wooded hills
arose in the distance of the back ground of the landscape; and this,
with boats passing about the intersecting canals of the paddy-fields,
formed the principal feature of the country about the Canton river to
Whampoa, where we arrived in the evening,[34] and left in a boat for
Canton (a distance of twelve miles) on the following day.
The scene at Whampoa, with so large a number of shipping
collected together, was remarkably animating; and at this season,
there was a noble addition of most of the ships of the Honourable
East India Company, the finest class of merchant-ships in the world.
On proceeding from Whampoa to Canton, the banks of the river
were flat, and cultivated with wooded hills in the distance, villages,
pagodas,[35] which formed, in combination, some very interesting
scenery. As we approached Canton, the bustle and multitude of
boats increased upon the river: these boats contained whole
families, who had been born and bred in them. They could often be
seen containing the young sprawling infant, just able to walk, the
new-born infant, and the aged grandmother, all reared in this
confined space; but at the same time, the people wore an
appearance of happiness and content upon their countenances, in
spite of their squalid misery. They keep their boats, in a very neat
and clean condition, which certainly confers some degree of credit
upon the people. The flag-staffs and the noble pile of buildings,
forming the factories of the different nations, appeared to our view;
and, arriving soon after, I called upon and remained during my
residence in Canton with my friend, Mr. Whiteman.
Canton is generally said to possess but little, in the confined spot
allotted to the range of Europeans, to interest the stranger. This may
be partially correct; but still the peculiar customs of the people and
the range of the suburbs may afford many days of amusement,
being novel, and unlike what is seen in any other country in the
world. The range of factories or Hongs belonging to different
nations, having flag-staffs, on which the national colours are hoisted
from sunrise to sunset, are fine buildings, more especially those
belonging to the English East India Company, which are of greater
extent than the whole of the others. Several weeping willows are
planted about the open space near the river, in front of the factories.
The English and Dutch hongs have neat gardens, laid out for a
promenade, in front of them; but the open space before most of the
others forms the “quarter-deck,” where every evening the European
residents take their limited walk.
The weather in front of the factories is usually at this season of
the year sultry, but on entering the alleys of the hongs, cold currents
of air are felt pouring down upon the just heated frame. A sudden
atmospherical change very frequently occurs, which certainly cannot
be regarded as conducive to health, but, on the contrary, must prove
highly detrimental: from the little ill-effects experienced from this by
the residents, all that can be said on the subject is, that they
probably get habituated to the frequent vicissitudes. There are two
broad paved streets,[36] filled with shops, in which every description
of manufactured articles, both after European and China patterns,
can be purchased. Here are contained a profusion of specimens of
the arts, more particularly those of ivory, tortoiseshell, and lacquered
ware,[37] tempting to the visitor, and which soon cause him to return
from Canton very deficient in the dollars he had brought with him.
In front of one of the shops was a lacquered board, upon which,
in golden letters, was the following attraction for Jack, who may be
accidentally rolling by the shop:—“The Sailor’s Coffee Shop, Chan
Lung, No. 10, New China Street, where all kinds of silks and teas are
sold, and goods of every description for seamen. Sailors! you are
invited to try this shop, where you will find honest dealing, and
where you can have ready made coffee and tea, but no samshoo.”
The rooms, for this purpose, were very neat, with small couches for
honest and sober Jack to recline upon, some pamphlets and tracts to
amuse his mind as he sipped the decoction of the Indian berry; the
shop contained straw hats, various portraits, and coarse articles of
Chinese manufacture, tempting him to purchase for his friends and
acquaintances at home; and the owner appeared to be an intelligent
man. Eatables are seen carried about the streets in great numbers,
and of all descriptions. Dogs, cats, rats, living and dead; with fowls,
ducks, and other kinds of poultry, as well as living eels, carp, &c. in
buckets of water: the latter are fed and fattened in stews, and taken
out for sale when considered in a sufficiently prime state; the fresh
water fish are very insipid in taste.
Every thing living or dead, organic or inorganic, is sold by weight
in this celestial country, whether it be fruit or ballast stones, oil or
vegetables, living dogs or pigs, cats or poultry, they are all
purchased by the catty. The dogs and pussies are highly esteemed
by the Chinese, who convert them into delicious (according to their
organs of taste) bow-wow soup, and rich pussy broth. A Chinese
does not appear to have any idea of measurement, for one was
asked whether we should have much wind—“Yes, plenty catties of
wind, by, by, come;” and when some gentlemen were taking
observations of the sun, the Chinese observed upon them, that “they
were weighing the sun.” Eating shops are very numerous in the
suburbs of Canton, containing an immense number of made dishes,
and decorated also with enormous fat pigs, varnished over, and
pendent from different parts of the shops, together with varnished
ducks and geese; the latter birds are also dried and pressed, and
then have a curious appearance.
One evening I visited the celebrated Fa, tee gardens, which are
situated a short distance up the river, and on the opposite side to
that upon which Canton is situated. On visiting these nursery
gardens I certainly expected to have seen a splendid collection of
Chinese plants and flowers, but I was sadly disappointed; the worst
nursery garden in any of the provincial towns in Great Britain, was
far, very far beyond any of these, both in size, extent, display of
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