Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra15161885roya).pdf/316

 # Butterfly—Kun Giok
 * 1) Stone or Cricket—Beng Chu
 * 2) Swallow—Siang Chiow
 * 3) Pigeon—Hap Tong
 * 4) Monkey—Sam Wei
 * 5) Frog—Hap Hai
 * 6) Sea Hawk—Kim Kwan
 * 7) Dragon—Thai Peng
 * 8) Tortoise or Duck—Hoey Kwan
 * 9) Cock—Jit San
 * 10) Eel—Thian Liang
 * 11) Turtle or Carp—Cheng Li
 * 12) Lobster—Guan Kwi
 * 13) Snake—Ban Kim
 * 14) Spider—Cheng Guan
 * 15) Sheep or Deer—Guan Kiat
 * 16) Deer or Goat—Kiat Pin
 * 17) Ghost or Fox—An Su

There are, it will be seen, thirty-six columns, at the head of each of which is the sign of one of the Hua-Hoey characters. The marks (which have a conventional meaning) and figures (Chinese) represent the amount either cents or dollars staked on each animal and the last column is the total of stakes re- ecived. A person wishing to stake a large amount, say $5 or $10, on au animal will sometimes write the name on a piece of paper and seal it up, delivering it with the stake to the mana- ger of the Hua-Hoey or an agent.

The lottery is opened twice a day, usually at noon and 6. P.M., and at the appointed hour the winning number (animal) is exhibited, and the result declared in the streets. Previously to this, the agents have brought in their staking papers. If the lottery is worked fairly, of course the manager who declares the winning number should be ignorant as to the amounts staked on the different animals. In China, the papers on which the stakes are entered are folded up in a packet and are not in- spected till the winner has been declared, when the winning tickets are chopped and the owners of them are paid.