broken into numerous capes and promontories, and every where indented by bays and rivers, are throughout very rocky, with few sands or flats. The Chusan (or Chowshan) archipelago, near the northern extremity of Chekeang, is extensive, occupying a space of nearly 30 miles, and possessing many safe anchorages. The Formosa channel, between the main-land of Fuhkeen and the island of Taewan or Formosa, is dangerous and difficult of navigation. The western coast of that island is surrounded with rocks and quicksands, which render its fine harbours almost useless, except to junks of very small tonnage. The eastern parts, which are still possessed by the uncivilized aborigines, are in consequence little known.—The danger of the Canton coast consist rather in sands and flats, than in rocks; though the rugged islands which appear along its whole breadth are numerous. There are many good anchorages, for small vessels, and several safe harbours; but the island of Hainan, near the south-western extremity of the province, is surrounded, like Formosa, by many dangers, both from rocks and sands. The narrow strait which separates Hainan from the main-land is, probably, the place called by the Mohammedans of the 8th and 9th centuries 'the gates of China.'
Rivers. It is the glory of the Chinese that their country is richly watered, and that, by means of rivers, lakes, add canals, communication is rendered easy between all its provinces. Of all subjects of geopraphy, whatever relates to the rivers of the country, they consider as the most interesting, and consequently give it the greatest attention. Yet, for a very long period the source of the Yellow river remained unknown [to them, and comparatively modern Chinese writers have declared it impossible to ascertain its real origin. The Hwang-ho, or Yellow river, is the most celebrated river of China, though in extent it is inferior to the Yang-tsze-keang. It rises in the Sing-suh-hae, or sea of stars, in the Mongol district of Kokonor, which lies between Thibet and the province of Kansuh. Thence, it touches Szechuen, on its progress to Kansuh, through which it passes in a north-east direction to Shense. In Shense it takes a course more directly north, and passes out into the territories of the Ortous Mongols. But having approached the limits of the desert of Cobi, it returns in a southerly direction, and forms a boundary between the provinces of Shense and Shanse, till it reaches nearly the latitude of its source. It then turns eastward, and passes through Honan, Shantung, and Keangsoo, to the sea, which it reaches after a course of about 2000 miles.
The Yang-tsze-keang, or "child of the Ocean," which Europeans have erroneously denominated the Kian-ku and the Blue river, is otherwise called by the Chinese Ta-keang, the Great river. It rises in Tsing-hae or Kokonor, some degrees beyond the source of the Yellow river, which it passes, within the distance of 30 miles, on its way towards Szechuen. It
