e 
ie 
34 ISLAND OF NAMOA. {Cuar. Ill. 
might go on taking their accustomed exercise and 
recreation on the island, as they had been in the 
habit of doing. It was even hinted that no objec- 
tion would be made to their putting up another 
cottage, if they chose to do so. In the mean time, 
a fine account had doubtless gone to Peking, show- 
ing how the barbarians had been driven from the 
island which they had dared to set foot upon: 
perhaps a battle had been fought, and a few of our 
ships and their crews taken and destroyed, which — 
would give a certain amount of éclat to the affair. 
This is the way things are managed in China! 
Matters being in this state, I had no difficulty in 
prosecuting my botanical researches amongst the 
hills. ‘These hills are of the same barren nature as 
those formerly noticed, and the natural productions, _ 
both in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, resemble 
those of Hong-kong. 
The island of Namoa is about fifteen miles long, __ 
and of irregular breadth; in some places about — 
five miles. The principal town is situated on the 
northern side, having a very fine bay, swarming 
with fishing-boats ; indeed the whole of the coasts — 
of this celebrated country are studded with small 
sailing boats belonging to fishermen, who seem to be 
a most industrious and hard-working race of men : 
many of them, in this island, go perfectly naked, a 
practice which I have not observed so common in 
any other part of China. | 
Leaving Namoa, and sailing up the coast towards 
Amoy, the stranger is continually struck with the 
