1845.] ABSENCE OF FRESH-WATER RIVERS. 353 



conjectured to be the .main land of Korea, and where I 

 little doubted of meeting with some Magistrate, or other 

 Authority, with whom I might communicate. After four 

 days exploration we found ourselves almost as much 

 bewildered as when we commenced our labours, and 

 notwithstanding that we had ascended what we considered 

 its Rivers, for many miles, and, with the utmost anxiety, 

 had repeatedly drank enough salt water, to satisfy our- 

 selves that no fresh stream entered into their composition, 

 we returned to the ship to complete our term-day, and 

 make one more effort where a final chance yet remained. 

 That also proved unsatisfactory, and from the explorations 

 made, I have every reason to conclude, as well as from the 

 various information picked up from the elders of the 

 villages with whom we communicated, that we were still 

 merely upon the outer islands of the Archipelago ; as in 

 reply to the direct question put by the interpreter, they 

 informed me, that I could not reach the residence of any 

 principle Mandarin in less than twelve days, and they 

 were conversant with the general rapidity of our move- 

 ments. They, moreover, intimated, that I should not until 

 then, meet with troops, or guns of brass, similar to those 

 they observed, and examined, in our boats. The moun- 

 tainous district throughout presented a most barren and 

 bleak appearance. Rugged precipitous peaks composed 

 occasionally of Granite, and at times of light-grey Basalt, 

 embellished but rarely with trees, or even vegetation 

 beyond the grey lichens, afforded from their very deso- 

 lation, when brought into contrast with the few green 

 islets beneath, an interesting scenery. One of my principal 

 stations, elevated about one thousand feet above the sea, 



A 9. 



