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1832.] CANTON RIVER. 345 
The Portuguese call this narrow pass the Boc'ca Tigris, the 
Tiger's Mouth ; but the Chinese name is Hoo-mun, or Hoo-tow- 
moon. There are two channels through this pass, formed by a 
fortified island in the centre. The eastern channel is most gen- 
erally used by Europeans. 
In the morning, the Sylph felt the influence of a young breeze, 
and flitted along the crystal stream with a celerity that honoured 
her aerial cognomen. The entrance of this river is really beau- 
tiful, and might, with a moderate share of military skill, be ren- 
dered impassable to vessels of any force, its location being most 
favourable for works of defence. The channel being very narrow, 
might be easily commanded by redoubts of proper construction 
on each side. There are, however, but three forts,* and these in 
such ill-selected positions, being lower than a frigate's spardeck, 
as to offer no serious impediment to an armed force determined to 
ascend the river. Indeed, a single sloop-of-war might either 
silence or pass them without much risk. The guns do not appear 
to be of more than twelve pound cahbre, and the most formidable 
thing about them is the hideous paintings of the heads of tigers 
on the potlids and sills of the embrasures. Should the assailants 
be amateurs in painting, no doubt they would be as much ap- 
palled as if so many Gorgon's heads were presented as shields. 
The fort on the left hand side of the channel is situated at the 
foot of a very high hill, whereas it ought to be on its summit. 
The rapidity, however, with which the Sylph passed along, gave 
no opportunity for minute investigation. 
In proceeding up the river, the land on the left was found to 
be, in some places, considerably elevated, and often covered with 
trees. On the summit of one of these heights, called See-chee- 
tow, is a small pagoda, the first one to be seen in ascending the 
river. A short distance beyond, at a place called See^chee-top, is 
another pagoda, nine stories in height, and very much decayed. 
The country around it is well cultivated, and is scattered with 
farmhouses and sugar-mills of Chinese construction. The nine 
stories of this lofty edifice are divided, or separated, By projecting 
cornices ; from many of which, owing to the decomposition of the 
materials, shrubs, and even small trees, are seen growing. On the 
right, the land was lower, and divided into rice-fields. 
As our winged Sylph flew along, the thick clustering novelties 
