CHAPTEK VII. 



FORMOSA (Oontinue<I)—SAM-0 BAY. 



East Coast— Steep Island— Eeefs at Sau-o— Chinese Village of Sau-o— Village 

 of Tame Aborigines — Their Huts — Physical Characters — Dress— Native 

 Cloth — Search after the "VVUd Aborigines — Characteristics of the Villagers 

 — Their Occupations — ^An Alarm— They visit the Ship — Native Polite- 

 ness — Language — Religious Ideas — Diseases — Distinctions from Chinese 

 Race. 



The east coast of Formosa, as has been already observed, 

 is remarkable for the absence of harbours ; the mountains 

 for the most part running sheer down into the sea. There 

 is a landing-place at Chock-e-day, a considerable distance to 

 the south ;. but the only harbour is at Sau-o Bay, some 

 30 nules south of Ke-lung. 



The Vice-Consul having called Captain Bullock's atten- 

 tion to some reported dangers about this important harbour 

 of refuge, it was determined to visit it ; for, although a plan 

 of the harbour was appended to the chart of Formosa, since 

 that plan had been constructed during a hasty visit, and 

 represented only about six hours' work, it was probable that 

 important improvements and corrections might be made. 

 We had promised ourselves much gratification from a visit 

 to this interesting locaHty, on account of its being a spot but 

 very little known, and which very few have visited ; and also 

 because we hoped to see something of the aborigines of the 

 island. Accompanied by the Vice-Consul at Tam-suy, 



