Mr. H. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 199 
tells us, of making voyages to India through the Straits of 
Malacca. They had, moreover, possessed the compass, and 
knew well the use of it; but they were then, I presume, as they 
are now, timid mariners, and feared to venture out of sight of 
land. This, however, can scarcely be alleged as an excuse for 
the lateness of the discovery, as, on a clear day, the mountains of 
Formosa can plainly be discerned from the opposite coast of China. 
For whatever reason it was so long delayed, it was reserved 
for a eunuch of the court of the Emperor Suen-te (a.d. 1430) 
to be the first man to visit it. This individual was bound on 
an homeward voyage from India, and, falling across a typhoon, 
got blown on the island. While the crew were engaged in 
repairing the damaged vessel, he employed his time in taking 
notes on the advantages of the new land, and in collecting herbs 
and simples. He shortly after arrived safely in China, and laid 
a full report of his discoveries before the Emperor. But it was 
not for the Ming dynasty to plant a colony on the terra incog¬ 
nita. The Ming fell away before the conquering Mantchoos, 
who installed the present or Ching dynasty (whence the name 
China). In the 42nd year of Kia-tsing (1564), when the present 
provinces of Canton and Fokien were still independent king¬ 
doms, constant struggles prevailed, both by land and sea, be¬ 
tween the usurping Tartars and the natives of the free states. 
In one of the sea-fights the Tartar admiral gave chase to the 
enemy, who ran for refuge into the large harbour of the Pesca¬ 
dores, or Punghoo. The Tartar was delighted at his discovery, 
and took possession of the islands in the name of his Emperor. 
The enemy, who is reported to have been a pirate from the 
kingdom of Canton, fled to the further shores, where, in the 
intricate navigation of the numerous shoals, he eluded the 
Tartar; and having recaulked his vessels, it is said, with the 
blood of the unfortunate aborigines that, in their innocence, 
came to render him assistance, he returned to his native land. 
The Tartar Emperor deputed a governor to the little group of 
islands; and farmers and fishermen soon began to emigrate 
thither with their families. In the first year of Tien-ke (1620) a 
Japanese fleet passed down the coast of Formosa; and finding 
the neighbourhood of the present city of Taiwanfoo a pro- 
