Jan. 25, 1858.] DESCRIPTION OF THE AMUR RIVER. 
153 
The second Paper read was : — ■ 
2. Description of the Amur River in Eastern Asia. By M. A. Pescrurof, 
of the Imp. Kussian Navy. 
Communicated, by Capt. John Washington, r.n., f.r.g.s., Hydrographer. 
[This Paper will he printed in full in the Journal, with a Map.] 
This account of the Amur is little more than a picturesque descrip- 
tion of its banks, for it is accompanied by few data of any scientific 
value. This great stream, of 1 500 miles in length, is traced from its 
origin in the two rapid rivers, Shilka and Argum, whence it forces 
its way through the spurs of the mountain-chain which borders it, 
whose flanks are dotted with the remains of larch, fir, and white 
willow, that have been stripped and felled by the nomad tribes, for 
their encampments. Its banks are mossy rock, almost destitute of 
earth, and at every valley a copious rivulet runs in. The Amur valley 
widens out as the beatitiful meadow lands are reached, on which the 
ruins of the ancient Cossack town, Albazin, are situated. (Albazin 
was besieged and taken by the Chinese in 1686, and subsequently 
demolished according to treaty.) Numbers of islands, now increasing 
to archipelagos, give a peculiar feature to the river, and the birch 
begins to appear near to the confluence of the Kamara river. This 
is the head-quarter of the nomad tribes, for the banks of the Kamara 
abound with fur animals, and the people, near its confluence with the 
Amur, cut wood and float it down the latter river. The most northern 
Manchur guard station is established at this place. The river 
Zeya bounds the mountainous districts of the Amur, and here the 
floating wood is caught and built into rafts. The river now runs 
through broad plains grazed by cattle and cultivated in patches, 
with Manchur villages dotted along its banks, amongst which is 
Aigun, the harbour and yard of the Chinese Manchur fleet, com- 
prising about thirty serviceable one-masted vessels. Hereabouts 
the oak and elm begin" to be found, and the confluence of a large 
river, the Buruja, is next reached. 
At Cape Sverbeef the rapid course of the Amur begins. It cuts 
through a chain of high mountains, runs in some places at 5 knots 
an hour, and has a pretty uniform depth of 4 fathoms. Its width 
is not stated. 
Two islands terminate the rapids ; beyond them are plains, alter- 
nately richly wooded and dreary, and then archipelagos of islands 
to beyond the confluence of the large river Sungari, whose upper 
banks are very populous, and whose efflux makes the water of the 
Amur far more turbid than before. When the Usuri river is passed, 
