^^6 CHINA. 



guefe (iKniltl inftantly quit the empire; thus, fays //<r7;;z/7/o/i ^>, 

 " ended the moll opulent colony at that time in the world." 



To the north of this city an open bay runs deeply weftward 

 into the country, the vaft eftuary of the river Tchen-tang-tcbiang ' 



HAKCTtHoo. The great city Hang-tchoo ftands at fome diftance from its dif- 

 charge into the bay, on a fpot where the river is a league broad ; 

 here is carried on a great manufa(51;ory of filk, as the province is 

 diftinguiflied for the cultivation of the worm. In Hang-tcboo 

 fixty thoufand workmen live within the walls, and feveral 

 hundred thoufind in the adjacent country. 



Si-Hu Lake. Near this city is a moft beautiful little lake called Si-huy about 



two leagues in compafs. The water quite cryftalline; caufeways 

 are made through it for the convenience of walkers, and elegant 

 open halls raifcd on polls for the amufement of the citizens. It 



Golden Fish, is full of the famous golden fiih, which fliew to great advantage 

 among the leaves and flowers of the Nympbaa, with which the 

 lake is filled. This favorite filli of the Cbinefe is found in many- 

 other provinces ; here it forms a fpecies of commerce, the fpawn 

 and fry being transported to all parts of the empire which do not 

 produce them. 



The golden filh is of the moll vivid colors -, Linnaus names it 

 Cyprinusauratus ; the gold is highly refplendent, but varies in part 

 of the fame filli into the brightell filver or richell blues which can 

 be imagined. It feldom reaches the length of eight inches, com- 

 monly is much fmaller; has one dorfal fin, which fometimes is 

 wanting, and the back marked by one or two fmall protuberances ; 

 in many the tail is moll remarkable, being fo formed as to exhi- 



• Vol. ii. p. 284, 



bit 



