256 Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology of Foochow. 



on. Sturdy fellows are these boatmen — nearly naked, in spite of 

 the fresh -bio wing breeze that drives us shivering into the cabin. 

 Their well-turned limbs and straight eyes give them a nobler look 

 than Southern Chinese usually possess ; but their hairless cheeks, 

 the plaited tail wound round their bald pates, their yellow tint, 

 and, above all, their loud-toned, varied jargon betray them na- 

 tives of the Celestial Empire. They are, nevertheless, goodnatured, 

 and seem anxious to drive the boat ahead. Standing to their 

 oars, they swing the right leg forwards and stamp in concert, 

 and join vociferously in chorus to the same continued boat-song. 

 Far from showing signs of fatigue, their exeitions get more 

 furious, and their stamps and shouts louder, when any other boat 

 tries to pass us. The high hills on each side look fresh and green, 

 with their clayey sides scattered with huge black boulders of gra- 

 nite. Their formation is much the same as that of those at Amoy; 

 but the abundance of fir-trees and coarse grass that partly cover 

 their nakedness is quite refreshing, and forms a striking contrast 

 to the general hoary aspect of Amoy. Some have compared the 

 views on this river to those on the Rhine ; but, it sti-ikes me, the 

 comparison is rather far-fetched. The black granite has its 

 charms, nevertheless, at least to the builders so largely employed 

 since the accumulation of white men at the town; and the quarriers 

 are ever at work, clearing the rock with sledge and wedge, and 

 sliding the masses down the faces of the hills. As regards the 

 social advancement of the little community at Foochow, as also 

 their progi'ess in architectural skill, the church, built entirely of 

 solid granite, bears proud testimony. The towering hill of Koo- 

 shan now appears on our right, boasting a height of 3000 feet, 

 with its far-famed monastery of 70 priests, built in a recess on its 

 undulating side at a height of 2000 feet. The large concourse of 

 boats of all shapes and sizes, and the increasing accumulation of 

 houses, show that the city cannot be far distant. At last we see it — 

 a narrow bridge spanning the rapid river, its expanse sustained by 

 numerous buttresses, and broken by a small island near the south- 

 ern bank. What a stream of passengers are crossing to and fro, 

 from the proud city to the Nantai side, whereon the roofs of foreign 

 houses and factories appear most abundant ! The boat stops at the 

 Steam-Company's agent^s wharf. The bustle of landing the mail 



