Chap. XI. VAN DIEMANS STRAIT. 173 
of Japan. Most of the low rice-lands had been 
lying fallow during the winter, hut would soon he 
irrigated and prepared for this crop, which is the 
staple production in all parts of the East. 
On the hill-sides and in gardens numerous vari- 
eties of the azalea were in full bloom, but the 
largest garden-plants belong to the Azalea varie - 
gata tribe, and these were not yet in flower. Kerria 
japonica , Prunus sinensis (single and double), camel- 
lias, and many other plants identical with those 
of China, were also covered with their pretty 
blossoms. 
Many pleasant and agreeable days might have 
been spent at this time in Nagasaki, hut it was 
necessary that the good ship * Scotland ’ should 
“ move on.” As we passed out of the harbour, I 
could well have wished to steer north for the 
entrance to the Inland Sea, in order to feast my 
eyes once more on its wild and romantic scenery. 
But the ‘ Scotland * had no “ Queen’s presents ” on 
board, and as the outer passage, if not the most 
agreeable, was the safest in the present state of 
our knowledge, and the quickest, we steered in a 
southerly direction along the coast of Kiu-siu, for 
Van Dieman’s Strait. This strait, with its peaked 
mountains and active volcanoes, has been noticed 
in a former chapter. It seems to be remarkable 
for the fearful storms which sweep through it 
from the Pacific Ocean. The first time I passed 
through we had a very heavy gale, and now, 
about the same place, we were doomed to encoun- 
