Red Fire South. Black Water North. Green Wood East. White Metal West. The earth was figured by a square, fire by a circle, water by a dragon, mountains by a deer. The form of a vase is also of value in determining its use. Besides the complimentary manner already alluded to, in which vases were employed, they were bestowed as rewards upon deserving public functionaries, and passed between friends as tokens of good wishes. They also occupied a prominent place in religious rites. We may now proceed to a division of Chinese wares into pottery and porcelain. POTTERY. When First Made.--Céladon.--Crackle.--How Made.--Porcelain Crackle.--Decorations on Crackle.--Household Vessels.--Stone-ware.--Licouli.--Tower of Nankin.--Pipe-clay.--Boccaro.--Colors and Decoration of Pottery.--Colors on Crackle. Although we may not accept without question the statement that pottery was first invented either by the Emperor Hoang-ti, or during his reign by Kouen-ou, it may at least be taken for granted that pottery preceded porcelain. To define the character of the earliest ware is not unattended with difficulty. One fact which had a great influence upon Chinese art may here be referred to. So soon as pottery was invented, it was taken under government supervision. Subsequently, when porcelain was discovered, the manufacture for many years made very little progress. It was not until it came under imperial protection and patronage that it rose to its greatest height. It will be seen hereafter that in Continental Europe also the best works in ceramic art were, as a rule, produced under the fostering care of the sovereign power.