Chap. II. 
NAMOA.— AMOY. 
19 
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 fisher- 
men, 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 barren 
rocky nature of the coast, and in some parts has a view 
of hills of sand, the particles of which, when a hurricane 
blows, mix with the wind, and whiten the ropes of 
vessels and render it most unpleasant to be in the 
vicinity. Here and there he has a view of what appear 
to be rather fertile plains amongst the hills, cultivated 
with sweet potatoes, rice, and the other staple productions 
of the country. On the top of the highest hills along the 
coast, and as far as the eye can reach inland, pagodas are 
seen towering, which serve as excellent marks to the 
mariner as he sails along the shores. As we approached 
nearer to Amoy we passed Chapel Island, remarkable for 
having a large natural tunnel right through its centre, 
which has a most striking and curious appearance when 
vessels come in a line with it. In the afternoon we 
anchored in the harbour of Amoy between that island 
and Koo-lung-soo. - - ||^/*-»4r» 
