SIAGONIUM 413 SIAM make a lock stitch. In hydraulic engi- neering, the gate which opens to allow the water to flow onto a wheel. That side of a wheel which receives the water is known as the shuttle side. SIAGONIUM, in entomology, the typi- cal genus of Siagoninas. They have por- rected horns on the head and thorax. The males are in two sets, differing greatly in the size of their bodies and in the de- velopment of their horns. The females are the more numerous sex. SIAM, a kingdom embracing a great part of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and part of the Malay Peninsula, and lying between Burma on the W., and Annam and Cambodia on the E. and S. E. Its boundaries are ill defined on the N. and N. E., but its area is estimated at about 195,000 square miles, and its population (1919) at 8,924,000. Capital, Bangkok. Pop. 630,000. Topography. — A large part of the ter- ritory is not well known. Siam proper consists mainly of the low-lying alluvial basin of the Menam and its numerous tributaries, which flows S. into the Gulf of Siam, forming an extensive and intri- cate delta. This alluvial plain, intersected by numerous streams and canals, is ex- tremely fertile, producing crops of rice, sugar, cotton, maize, and indigo. Both sides of the Manam basin are skirted by densely wooded ranges of hills, forming the water partings toward the Salwin and Mekong, the latter of which is the great river of eastern Siam. The min- erals include gold, tin, iron, copper, lead, zinc, and antimony, besides several pre- cious stones, such as the sapphire, Ori- ental ruby, and Oriental topaz. Mining is chiefly in the hands of the Chinese. Much of Upper Siam seems incapable of being cultivated. During the dry season, which lasts from November to May, there is an utter absence of rain in this region, which again is so flooded by rain during the wet season as to be converted into a vast swampy forest. Cocoa and areca palms are numerous in Siam; fruits are abundant and of excellent quality; black pepper, tobacco, cardamoms, and gamboge are important products. The forests pro- duce aloes wood, sappan wood, teak tim- ber, bamboos, rattans, gutta percha, dam- mar, catechu, benzoin, etc. Among wild animals are the tiger, leopard, bear, otter, ourang-outang, single-horned rhinoceros, and elephant, which here attains a size and beauty elsewhere unknown. The last, when of a white color, is held in the high- est reverence. The forests abound with peacocks, pheasants, and pigeons; and in the islands are large flocks of the swal- lows that produce the famed edible birds' nests. Crocodiles, geckoes, and other kinds AA- of lizards, tortoises, and green turtles are numerous. The python serpent attains an immense size, and there are many species of snakes. Commerce and Finances. — Practically the entire trade of the country is in the hands of foreigners and in recent years many Chinese have settled in the country and have become important in commercial activities. The total imports in 1918 and 1919 amounted to £7,930,147, and the ex- ports £12,469,956. The principal imports are cotton goods, foodstuffs, raw material, metal manufactures and machinery, min- eral oils, silk goods, and tobacco. The chief exports are rice and teak. The total revenue in 1919-20 amounted to £5,853,- 846 and the expenditure to £5,850,526. The total national debt in March 31, 1920, was £6,630,960. A British officer holds the position of financial adviser, and other British officers hold advisory positions in the government, especially in the depart- ments of finance, revenue, forests, and police. Army and Navy. — Military service is compulsory and the army is organized along European lines. The peace strength is over 20,000 men. The navy consists nominally of 21 vessels, but they are of little effective value. Government. — The executive power is in the hands of the king who is advised by a cabinet consisting of the heads of the various departments of the government. There is also a legislative council composed of not less than 12 members, appointed by the Crown. The total membership in 1920 was 40. The kingdom is di* vided into 18 provinces, of which 17 have each a lord lieutenant, taking their au- thority directly from the king, who in 1920 was Chao Fa Maha Vajiravudh, who succeeded his father in 1910. His official title is King Rama VI. People. — The Siamese are members of the great Mongolian family, and of the same race as the people of Burma and Annam. In stature they do not average more than 5 feet 3 inches in height; they have a lighter colored skin than the West- ern Asiatics, but darker than the Chi- nese. Elementary education is general, most of the Siamese being able to read and write. The houses are mostly con- structed of timber and bamboo, and in localities subject to inundation are raised on piles. The Siamese profess Buddhism, introduced into the country about the middle of the 7th century. Christianity ' is now making some progress in the coun- try. Some of the temples are large and elaborate structures richly decorated. The language forms a connecting link be- tween the Chinese and Malay. The writ- ten characters seem to be derived from a form of Sanskrit. The literature is -Cyc Vol s
