90 CHINA. 



vinces of Yunan, Koeicheou, Sechueen, and Fochen, are so moun= 

 tainous as gi'eatly to obstruct cultivation ; and that of Tchekiang has 

 lofty and precipitous mountains on the west. In the province of Ki- 

 angnan there is a district full of high mountains, which are also nume- 

 rous in the provinces ef Shensee and Shansee. These mountains do 

 not appear to be known to Europeans by any appropriate names. 



Forests.. ..Such is the industry of the Chinese, that they are not 

 encumbered with forests or woods, though no country is better fitted 

 for producing timber of all kinds. They suffer, however, none to 

 grow but for ornament and use, or on the sides of mountains, from 

 whence the trees when cut down, can be conveyed to any place by 

 water. 



Lakes.. ..China contains several extensive lakes, as that of Tong- 

 tinthoo, in the province of Houquang, more than eighty leagues in 

 circumference, and that of Poyanghoo, in the province of Kiangsee, 

 thirty leagues in circuit. The lakes of Weechaunghoo and Taihoo 

 are also remarkable for their picturesque scenery. On some of these 

 lakes a singular method of fishing is practised. Thousands of small 

 boats and rafts are sometimes seen on them, and in each boat about 

 ten or a dozen birds, which, at a signal from the owner, plunge into 

 the water, and bring out in their bills fish of an enormous size. They 

 are so well trained that it does not require either ring or cord round 

 their throats to prevent them from swallowing any portion of their 

 prey, except what the master is pleased to i-eturn them for encourage- 

 ment and food. The boat used by these fishermen is of a remarka- 

 bly light make, and is often carried to the lake, together with the 

 fishing-birds, by the men who are there to be supported by it. 



Rivers. ...The two principal rivers of China are the Hoanho and 

 the Kianku ; the former called the Yellow River, from its discolour- 

 ment by the mud its waters bring down, has its sources among the 

 mountains of Tibet, and falls into the Yellow Sea, after a course of 

 two thousand one hundred and fifty miles. The Kianku rises near 

 the source of the Hoanho, and, after passing the city of Nanking, falls 

 into the sea about one hundred miles to the south of the mouth of 

 the Hoanho, having traversed a course of two thousand two hundred 

 miles. These two rivers are considered as the longest in the world. 

 There are many other rivers of inferior note in China ; but the water 

 of this country is in general very indifferent, and, in some places, 

 must be boiled to make it fit for use. 



Canals. ...These are sufficient to entitle the ancient ChinesB to the 

 character of a most wise and industrious people. The commodious-- 

 ness and length of their canals are incredible. The chief of them are 

 lined with hewn stone on the sides ; and they are so deep, that they 

 carry large vessels, and sometimes extend above one thousand miles 

 in length. Those vessels are fitted up for all the conveniences of 

 life ; and it has been thought by some, that in China the water con- 

 tains as many inhabitants as the land. They are furnished with stone 

 quays, and sometimes with bridges of an amazing construction. The 

 navigation is slow, and the vessels symetimes drawn by men. No pre- 

 cautions are wanting, that could be formed by art or perseverance, for 

 the safety of the passengers, in case a canal is crossed by a rapid ri- 

 ver, or exposed to torrents from the mountains. These canals, and 

 the variety that is seen upon their borders, render China delightful 

 in a very high degree, as well as fertile, in places that are not so by 

 nature-. 



