366 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[May, 
rendered it, from being almost barren, one of the most fertile in the 
kingdom. 
As to the commercial advantages, independent of other articles 
of commerce, which might be brought into view by means of such 
inquiries, we have no doubt that the intrxiduction alone of the iron 
of Formosa into our country, would be found in ready demand. 
That iron is of so superior a qualit}^, that, for some particular 
purposes, it would be invaluable. Such is the temper that can 
be given to it, it is stated, that swords made of it will sever 
with ease those made of ordinary steel. What a desideratum to 
all the mechanic arts would be a sufficient quantity of it to make 
our finest edgetools, and most delicately constructed instru- 
ments ! 
