318 HOA-PIN-SAN. [1845. 



being able to examine any of the space alluded to, and 

 barely to save his distance on a casual bank discovered, as 

 before-mentioned, at sunset ; once driven easterly in this 

 region, it would be impolitic in us to lose time by the attempt 

 to recover it. The extreme height of Hoa-pin-san was found 

 to be 1181 feet, the island apparently cut away vertically 

 at this elevation, on the southern side, in a W.N.W. 

 direction, the remaining portion sloping to the eastward, 

 where the inclination furnished copious rills of excellent 

 water. There were no traces of inhabitants or visitors ; 

 indeed, the soil was insufficient for the maintenance of 

 half a dozen individuals. 



The composition of this island is trap, including masses 

 of Basaltic Hornblende, Amygdaloid, &c., but the incli : 

 nation of the upper strata, as viewed from the ship, exhi- 

 bited lines of stratification deeply inclined to the N.E., 

 facilitating the flow of water to the beach on that side. 

 That this supply is not casual, is proved by the existence 

 of fresh-water fish, found in most of the natural cisterns, 

 which are connected almost to the sea, and abounding in 

 weeds, which shelter them. Traces of the wreck of Chinese 

 or Japanese junks were noticed. The position of the 

 south-east angle of this island was found to be in Latitude 

 25 47' 7" N., and Longitude 123 26' E. 



Pinnacle Group is connected by a reef and bank of 

 soundings with Hoa-pin-san, allowing a channel of about 

 twelve fathoms between it and Channel Rock ; it presents 

 the appearance of an upheaved, and subsequently ruptured, 

 mass of compact grey columnar Basalt, rising suddenly 

 into needle-shaped pinnacles, which are apparently ready 

 for disintegration by the first disturbing cause, either 



