742 Note on the Geography of Cochin China. [Sept. 



The last province of central Cochin China is Binh Thudn. This pro- 

 vince was formerly the seat of the capital of the kingdom of Ciampa, 

 whose inhabitants, now reduced greatly in number, have retired to the 

 foot of the mountains, abandoning to their new masters the sea coast 

 as well as the long sandy range (parage) called the desert of Cochin 

 China. 



Ciampa was formerly a considerable state, known to Europeans only 

 at the time of its decline. Before the 15th century of our era, this 

 kingdom was bounded on the north by Tongking, on the south by 

 Gamboge, on the east by the sea, and on the west by Laos and the 

 mountains of Yun nam. The latter people has several appellations 

 among the Cochin Chinese ; — such as L6i, Thudn, Thitfng, &c. It 

 appears from the chronicles of Java that they had a brisk intercourse 

 and close relation with the inhabitants of the Malayan archipelago. In 

 the 15th century the queen- wife of the chief sovereign of the isle of 

 Java was a daughter of the king of Ciampa. Ebony is very common 

 in this country, but the wood which is the most precious, and which 

 is sufficiently abundant is called ' eagle wood,' of which the first quality 

 sells for its weight in gold; the native name is Ki nam. This wood, so 

 celebrated among the orientals for its agreeable perfume, possesses also 

 medical properties. 



The province of Binh thudn stretches from about hit. 1 1° 45' north to 

 10° 45'; where commences lower Cochin China; which comprehends 

 all that part of Camboge overrun by the Cochin Chinese. This province 

 called Dong nai, sometimes Scti gon by the natives and Europeans, is 

 properly named Gla dinh. It includes six prefectures. The first and 

 nearest to Binh thudn is called Bidn hoa or Ddng nai ; the second, 

 Than y£h or Sdi gbn, which is the fortified town of the same name. 

 The third is Dfnh Tu'b'ng, vulgo Mi tho ; the fourth is Vinh thanh or 

 Long ho : the fifth Chdu dbc or An giang. The sixth is at some leagues 

 from the sea, and is called Hoi tie^n, and by the Europeans, Cancao. 

 This last prefecture extends its jurisdiction from the island called 

 Hbn tram in the gulf of Siam, to about lat. 10° 40' N. It is this 

 which separates the kingdom from Siam. It is on this island also, 

 (which signifies isle of the guard) that is stationed a legion of soldiers 

 destined to guard the frontier. On the south, the island of Pulo-ubi, 

 (or isle of the igname plant) situated in lat. 8° 25' north, forms the 

 extreme limit of the kingdom. 



From the above sketch it is seen that Cochin China contains fifteen 

 prefectures and only ten provinces ; for the vast province of Gia 

 dinh comprises within itself six prefectures. All these provinces are 

 ranged along the coast. 



