CANTON. 



137 



of the expedition, a drove of sacred pigs were seen in their sacred styes, and they seemed to 

 flourish exceedingly, for they were so fat that they could not stand. It was something of a 

 curiosity (though somewhat saddening in the reflections it occasioned) to hehold this sanctified 

 pork, and tlie reverence with which it was worshipped. 



Canton is the capital of the province of Kuan-tong, from which the name given to the city by 

 Europeans has been corrupted. It is falsely applied, for it is the name of the province only, as we 

 havejust said ; that of the city is Kuang-chow-foo. The city is built on two rivers, the Choo-Keang, 

 or Pearl, and the Pi-Keang, which is a branch of the former. The mouth of the Choo-Kcang, 



\k-w ur old China t^trcL'l, CiiiUun. 



Pearl, or Canton river, is called the Bocca Tigris. It derives this name from the supposed 



resemblance of the hill tops, on Great Tiger Island, to the outline of a tiger's head. 



Although the resemblance is not at first very striking, it becomes quite obvious after 



examination. The river is guarded at its mouth, and at several points on its banks, by 



Chinese forts, which, with their white-washed walls and general pacific aspect, do not appear 



very formidable. The view, however, is pleasing, particularly at the Bocca Tigris, where 



the forts could be seen stretching their long white walls from the base to the summits of the 



hills. On one side is seen the "Dragon's Cave," and on the other the "Girl's Shoe," and 



various other fortifications with fanciful names ; and though some of them are admirably 



situated, they are all of a structure which prove them to be more remarkable for show than 



for solid utility. 



The river swarms with jiirates, the fishermen occasionally becoming their allies, and they 



18 J 



