THE TREATY PORTS oF CHINA AND JAPAN. &c. THE TREATY PORTS OF CHINA AND JAPAN. A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE OPEN PORTS OF THOSE COUNTRIES, TOGETHER WITH PEKING, YEDO, HONGKONG AND MACAO. FORMING A GUIDE BOOK & VADE MECUM FOR TRAVELLERS, MERCHANTS, AND RESIDENTS IN GENERAL. WITH 20 MAPS AND FLAISTS. BY Wm. Feed. MAYERS, f.r,g.s., H.M.'s Consular Service. N.^/DENNYS, l*te H.M.'s Consular Service. AnD Chas. KING, Lieut. R.M.A. COMPILED AND EDITED BY N. B. DENNYS. LONDON: TRUBNER AND Co., PATERNOSTER ROW. HONGKO NG: A. SHORTREDE AND Co. 186-7. ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHINA. P*o«. Notes respecting errata, vi Preface, vn Hongkong, 1 Canton, 116 Macao, 202 Swatow, 230 Amoy, 243 Foochow, 274 Formosa, 291 Takow, 298 Taiwanfoo, 303 Tamsui, 315 Kelung, 323 Ningpo, 326 Shanghae, 350 Yang-tz' and River Ports, 414 Chinkiang, 420 Nanking, 427 Kiu-kiang, 429 Hankow, 439 Chefoo, 456 Taku, 464 Tientsing 472 Peking, 490 Newchwang, 538 .i a r< a . Japan, 549 Nagasaki, 555 Yokohama, 579 Yedo, 596 Hakodadi, 612 Hiogo, 617 Index to :— Hongkong, Canton, Macao, Swatow, Amoy, Foochow, Formosa, Takao, Taiwanfoo, Tamsui, Kelung, Ningpo,... Shanghai, Yang-tz' River, Chinkiang, Nanking, Kiukiang, Hankow, Chefoo, Taku, Tientsin, Peking, N.chwang, Japan, Nagasaki, Yokohama, Yedo, Hakodadi, Hiogo, APPENDIX. P. & O. S. Co.'s Tables, Polymetrical Table of Dis- ) tances, j Messageries Imperiales Tables Pacific Mail S. S. Co.'s Tables, Alfred Holt's Line of Steam- ) ers from L.pool to China, 1 Distance in Nautical Miles \ from Shanghae to towns, > &c., on the Yan-tz" kiang, ) Table of Dist. in Statute Miles, Catalogue of Books on China ) and Japan, J Pick. 621 643 646 648 649 650 651 652 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 663 665 666 667 668 n xx XXI XLI XLV XLIX XLIX 1 LIST OF MAPS, Ac, Map of China, to face title page Hongkong Island, to face page 1 Plan of Victoria, H.kong, ,, 10 Canton, „ 124 Macao, „ 210 Swatow, „ 232 Amoy, ,, 248 Foochow, ,, 276 Formosa, „ 290 Takao and Taiwanfoo, ,, 298 Fort Zelandia, „ 304 Ningpo, „ 328 Plan of Shanghai „ 350 British settlement S hai,. „ 376 The Yang-tz' Kiang, „ 416 Kiu-kiang, to face page 430 Taku, „ 464 Tientsin to Tungchow,.... „ 486 Tung Chow to Peking,.... „ 490 Refer, to Map of Peking,. ,, 498 Peking, „ 498 Chart of Japanese islands, ,, 548 Nagasaki Harbour, ,, 558 Japanese Coins, ,, 562 Nagasaki, „ 570 Yokohama and Kanagawa, ,, 582 Yokohama, ,, 584 Yedo, „ 598 Hakodadi, 612 Ocean Steam routes, (Appendix,) 1 NOTE RESPECTING ERRATA. Although several errata occur in the body of the work it has not been deemed necessary to affix a table of them, as they are, in almost every case immaterial as regards the sense of the sentence in which they occur. In the sections on Japan the word "Tycoon" has acci- dentally been used in some places for "Shogoon" the more proper term. Those best acquainted with the mechanical difficulties at- tendant on publication in the far East will be most ready to excuse typographical blunders. Although various changes have occured at Hongkong whilst this work has been passing through the press there is but one which de- mands special notice, viz: the decrease of the native population. We therefore subjoin the following table which will shew the relative difference of the census taken in December 1865 and that taken at the same time in 1866. Description iK ^ Harbour Master's Office. j£ fj| g|f Post Office. Supreme Ccurt. fck SI 29 '/X E. French Consulate. § 5R Zl. fiL Spanish Consulate. Jfc £L |£ United States Consulate. .if. -A- >en « ( Bank of Hindostan, China, &c, (ifc 4* TT I Limited. tf* tT J$J tf Central Bank of Western India. -fT fT Chartered Bank of India, Australia, &c. ffi ^ tT Chartered Mercantile Bank of India Ac. JJ" fff ^fi Commercial Bank of India. IS fOl vlft Comptoir d'Escompte de Paris. 5jg: ^je y,^ §J£ Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Co. J1 10 bui Jap of ous the affo reai tur< give tion bee- for the on Mes dire her< offic , , m 4c m m m n Comptoir d'Escompte de Paris. Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Co. HONGKONG. J1 Public ExtiiblinhinentiL Schools. 7 Oriental Bank Corporation. M A A & "1 China Merchant S. N. Co. i t?5 }K. ffffl ilB' & ^es Messageries Imperiales. ft & n Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. The Borneo Company, Limited. Chamber of Commerce. German Club. Hongkong Club. "China Mail" Office. "Daily Press" Office. Schools.—Various Schools for the education of native Chinese have Leen opened under Government supervision. The following returns are quoted from the very able report of Mr P. Stewart, the Head- master of the Central School and Inspector of such establishments. Attendance in the Goeernment School during 1865. Maximum Minimum Attendance. Attendance 1. Aberdeen, ... 26 8 2. Bowrington, ... 19 6 3. Central School, 203 !76 4. Girl's School, 32 18 5. Mah: Mosque, 23 . 6. Stanley, 32 25 7. Tang-lung-chau (HakkaJ, 17 3 8. Tung-lung-chau (Punti), 43 26 0. Webster's Crescent, 34 7 10. West End, 32 21 11. West Point, 50 2i 1 2. Wong-nai-chuug, 24 9 535 330 Summaey of Enrolment and Attendance. 1862. 1863. 1864. 1865. Maximum Enrolment, 733 535 502 597 Maximum Attendance, 611 469 417 535 Minimum Enrolment, 505 414 434 418 Minimum Attendance, 299 301 324 330 12 HONGKONG. Schoole. Naccd Yard. Barracks. Praya Cemetery, liaeecoitrse. Return, of the Number of Scholars at carious Schools in Huiujkviig for 1865. •Government, Schools, ... ... ... ... 5fi7 Roman Catholic, ,, ... ... ... ... ...585 Private (Chinese), ,, ... ... ... ... ... 410 Church of England, ,, 125 London Mission, ,, ... ... ... ... ... TO Basle Mission, ,, ... ... ... ... ... 40 Foundling Hospital, ,, ... ... ... ... 43 Total, 1,870 TnE Naval Yard, Barracks, and other Government departments, the positions of which are given in the accompanying map, call for no special description. The former is simply a well arranged store with jetties and shears for dismasting ships &c. The present barracks are roomy and comfortable, and tolerably healthy, but the accommodation is unfortunately insufficient. Owing to the hilly formation of the island, the appearance of Vic- toria from the harbour is somewhat like that of Madeira. The houses are built in terrace-like rows one above the other, the greater number being found on the hill, the apex of which forms Victoria Peak. At the water side a Quay or "Praya" as it is called, from the Portuguese term in use at the older and adjacent settlement of Macao, has been constructed, which gives an almost uninterrupted drive from one end of the town to the other. That part usually frequented by Europeans is from the Clock tower to the Mint, the western half being comparatively left to the natives. The only break in the Praya is the part occupied by the Naval authorities who have walled in the dockyard to the water's edge. It is much regretted that arrangements could not be made to en- close on either side a pathway which would have allowed the public to pass through the yard and so avoid the long and inconvenient detour which has now to be made, more especially as the sea face is used only as a jetty, no dock having been constructed. Cemetery: Race Course.—The valley of Wong-nei-chung which is better known as "Happy valley " contains on its southern side the ce- metery, while the level area in the centre has been converted into a race course. Much discussion has arisen on what is termed the "unseemly proximity " of the one to the other. Doubtless it is a pity that such HONGKONG-. 13 Roails, dc. should Vie the case, but the matter might be greatly remedied by the es- tablishment of a new cemetery in some one of the numerous level spots which are to be found at the eastern end of the Island. The matter will doubtless before long be taken into consideration by the authorities. Roads.—The Roads of Hongkong are, as a rule, well made, and those constructed at a comparatively uniform level running from East to West afford some picturesque walks. Those most frequented are: the Queen's road, which extends from Tai-ping-shan, or the Chinese quarter at the West end of the island, to the other, or Eastern end, of the town; Hollywood Road and its continuations on a somewhat higher level than the former; Caine Road (which extends with its continuations, from Government House to Pokfulum and is the Road of the island) on a higher level still; and Robinson Road, the highest in Victoria. Up to the close of 1865 there was some little danger in traversing the two liitter at night if alone and unarmed, while the Western end of Victoria lias ever been unsafe from the numerous Chinese bad characters who infest it. The Public gardens situated just beyond the Eastern extre- mity of Caine Road and opposite to Government House are a favourite promenade with the colonists. The band of one of the regiments stationed at Hongkong usually plays here once or twice a week. Another favourite walk is along the Hollywood road eastward to Scandal Point, whence a good view can be obtained of the harbour and shipping. The Parsee community have lately presented the colony with a handsome wrought iron bandstand which has been erected in the gardens. At Pok-pu-lum there are a few houses owned by residents. They are generally used more for picnics and parties than as permanent resi- dences. Excursions to " Victoria Peak" are often made by admirers of panoramic scenery. In fact there are numerous spots frequented by pleasure seekers, both on the Island itself and on the mainland opposite. The general appearance of tho more important Roads will produce a favourable effect on the mind of the visitor. The houses lining them are lofty and well built, while trees add considerable natural beauty to the efforts of the architect and road maker. During the wet season, the upper1 surface of the roads is, however, much damaged by the rains HONGKONG. Gas ami Waterworks. Clubs. Amusements. Newspapers. owing to the want of proper "metalling." Steps are, however, now being taken to amend this serious defect. Gas and Water works.—Gas and water are laid on in Victoria and its suburbs, the latter from Government works, and in consequence of inadequacy in the present supply, meusurcs have been taken by the present Governor for the construction of a new reservoir at Pok-foo-lum. Clubs, Masonic Lodges, Amusements, &c.—There are five clubs in Hongkong, viz .—2 English, 1 German and 2 Portuguese:—one of the latter containing a well constructed little theatre and concert room. There are also two Masonic Lodges viz.: the "Zetland" and "Victoria" which are very numerously supported. They are all housed in well-built edifices, although boasting no especial features of interest. There is no regular theatrical Company, but one or two ama- teur companies generally start into life at the commencement of the cool season. Travellmg exhibitions of various kinds frequently visit Hongkong, and Professional Singers, Musicians, &c. occasionally give performances on their way up or down the coast. In the way of other amusements, Racing, Cricket and Boating are well supported. Of the Race ground, we have before spoken; the races are usually held for three days in February, and are well contested, some of the leading houses importing English horses to run. Cricket is much patronised, a good club existing. The ground used lies be- tween the Parade-ground and the Praya, but is somewhat too small for the requirements of the players, the ball having a tendency to go "out of bounds." Various propositions have been made to select a more suitable spot for matches, but no definite arrangement has, as yet, been made. An annual Regatta is held in November, and is usually followed by a ball given by the members of the Club. We must not omit to notice a very commodious bathing house lately erected at the foot of the Cricket ground, under the superintendence of Mr. W. H. Gibb and a committee of gentlemen interested in the project, and paid for by subscription. An annual payment of ten dollars entitles British and American residents to the use of this establishment. Newspapers.—The following papers and Magazines are published at Hongkong: Daily—The Eeening Mail, Messrs. Shortrede & Co.; HONGKONG. 15 Newspapers. Libraries. Ducks. The Daily Press, Y. J. Murrow, Esq. Weekly—The China Mail, Messrs. Shortrede & Co. ; The Echo do Povo, De Souza & Co. (Portuguese). The Omnibus, (German). Fortnightly, (day of departure of home- ward mail)—The Overland China Mail, Messrs. Shortrede & Co.; The China Overland Trade Report, Y. J. Murrow, Esq. Monthly—Notes and Queries on China and Japan, Messrs. A. Shortrede & Co. Libraries.—There are two public libraries—That under English patronage is known as the "Victoria Library and reading rooms." The other is housed at the Portuguese club in Gough Street. Docks &c.—At Aberdeen, formerly known as Shek-pai-wan, the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company have a branch of their esta- blishment. These Docks are of the following dimensions:— DOCK No. 1. Built of Granite. Length, 350 feet Breadth, 80 „ Depth of Water at Spring Tides, 18^ „ Ditto. Neap Tides, 16 „ NEW DOCK, No. 2. Built of Granite. Length, 400 feet Breadth, 90 „ Depth of Water at Spring Tides, 244 ,, Ditto. Neap Tides, 2l| „ This latter Dock is in course of construction. The workshops on the Premises possess every appliance necessary for the Repairs of Ships or Steam Machinery. The Engineer's Shops are supplied with Lathes, Planing, Screwing, Cutting, Punching Ma- chines, &c., &c , capable of executing work on the largest scale, and driven by Steam. The Shipwright's and Blacksmith's Shops are well supplied with plant, and the work is entirely carried on under the Su- pervision of experienced Europeans, while powerful Lifting Shears are erected on a Jetty, alongside which vessels can lie in 24 feet water and take in or out boilers, masts, &c. In addition to executing Repairs, this company is able to supply new Boilers to Steam-ships:—no small desideratum considering the increase in the steam marine of the port which has of late years taken place. The Company's Stores supply (when required) at moderate rates all the necessaries for Shipwork, such as Paint, Copper, canvas, &c, &c. and a Steam Tug (100 Horse- Ill HONGKONG. Docks. Stanley. Communication tnth other Ports. power nominal) is always in readiness to Tow Sailing Vessels from Hongkong to the Dock free of charge. The Union Dock Company has also a Dock in course of construc- tion at Kowloong. This when completed will be of immense advantage to vessels which reach port in a state requiring instant docking. The establishment of docks has added considerably to the natural advantages of the harbour of Hongkong, and the fact that such schemes are found to succeed well, says much for the prospects of the port. Stanley.—The village of Stanley is situated on a bay at the South eastern end of the island. Except a barrack for the accommodation of a few troops and the wives and children of soldiers for whom there is not sufficient accommodation elsewhere, it has no European buildings and possesses not the slightest interest. Communication with other Ports.—There are four lines of Steamers now running regularly between England, America, and Hong- kong, viz.—1st, those of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Naviga- tion Company from Southampton and Marseilles.—2nd, those of the Messageries Imperiales from Marseilles; transit across Egypt by both these lines being specially arranged with the Egyptian Government.— 3rd, Alfred Holt's line of steamers from Liverpool; and 4th, the vessels of the Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company from New York, passage across the isthmus of Panama being included in the fare. Full particulars will be found in the Appendix of the rates of passage money, freight &c. &c. of these lines and to it we must refer our readers for further particulars. Locally there are constant and many means of commu- nication with the other ports of China. Communication with Canton is kept up by the steamers of the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steam Boat Company, one vessel leaving each of the former ports every morning at 9 A.m., and reaching the end of its journey about 3.30 p.m., Fares for European passengers $7 each way including a breakfast at 9.30 A.m., and tiffin at 2 p.m , If these are declined the fare is #5. Chinese are charged #1 first class and 50 cents second class, no food being pro- vided. Night Steamers also leave each port at about 5 p.m., starting nearly opposite the P. & O. coal stores, Praya West, and making the passage is about 7 hours. From Macao a vessel starts for Hongkong IIONCKOXG. 17 Communication trith Coast ports. Population. every morning at 8 A.m., returning from Hongkong at 2 p.m. The passage each way occupies some three hours. To the other ports opportunities are afforded about twice a week by the P. & O. Company's, and Messrs. D. Lapraik & Co.'s steamers to Swatow, Amoy and Foochow, and by the P. & (). and Messageries steamers to Shang- hai and Japan. Steamers occasionally clear at Hongkong or Canton for the Northern ports of Chefoo, Tientsin, Newchwang and Japan, but as a general rule the traveller has to avail himself of steamers running between them and Shanghai, if desirous of reaching those places, or the river ports of the Yangtze Kiang. Particulars respecting fares to the Coast ports will also be found in the appendix, and it may be noted that the charges per private steamer, are the same in amount as those charged by the P. & O. Company. Population &c.—The population of Hongkong has increased in a most wonderful manner since the date of our taking possession of the island. In 1841, It was:— In the Villages and hamlets, 4,360 In the Bazaar, 800 In the Boats, 2,000 Labourers from Kowloony,... ... ... ... 300 Actual then population, 7,450 The isthmus of Kowloong, then known also as Tsim-sha-tsui, was re- turned as containing a native population of 800 people. Within 9 months of this census having been taken, the numbers had more then trebled. The return for the last few years is as follows: European ami American. Chinese, ete. Total. 1862, 1,604 121,907 123,511 1863, 2,(544 123,207 124,850 1864, 1,963 119,535 121,498 The census of 1865 gives the following particulars: Europeans and Americans, 2,034 Goa, Manila, India and others of mix-id blood ... 1,645 Aliens, ... ... ... ... ... 150 Chinese, shore population, ... ... ... ../ 92,010 „ boat „ .... 26,885 Vagrants and Prisoners, ... ... ... ... 2,780 Total 125.504 18 HONGKONG. European i/opidaiion. Of the Europeans, few grown persons, if any, have been born on the island; the "oldest inhabitant" can boast of having spent 25 years in Hongkong, but except a few children we are not aware of any other "natives " of European parentage A large number of those of mixed blood have however been born here, and regard Hongkong as their home in every sense of the word. Much of the want of interest in public measures and the hesitation to interfere with abuses which has in past times distinguished the European community, has arisen from the fact that Hongkong is to them a mere temporary residence to be quitted at the first convenient opportunity. The style of living amongst the better class of Europeans has resulted in many inconveni- ences to those below them in worldly means and position. The first residents put themselves entirely into the hands of cunning Compra- dores who il'-eced them unmercifully in their charges for household expenses, but this was little felt when each merchant was possessed of a princely income, owing to the comparative absence of competition in the lucrative trade of former days. Within the last ten years, however, Hongkong society has become gradually assimilated to that of other colonies. Men of smaller means now embark in trade, and though in- dividually they do not so much affect the interests of the great houses, they materially interfere with them taken as an aggregate, and much of the business heretofore exclusively in the hands of a few has been diverted into other channels. The old.system of compradores is how- ever kept up, and prevails in one form or another in every grade of so- ciety. Its chief evil is the fleecing to which the European is subjected, but so strong has this custom become that the practice is successfully carried on, unchecked, by the boys and cooks of those whose establish- ments do not boast a compradore. Some details relating to domestic expenses, and other information respecting Hotels &c, useful to newly arrived residents. will be found in a subsequent section. The Chinese population present points of much interest to those who here behold natives for the first time. Ever busy and restless, they succeed admirably as shopkeepers and itinerant traders, and a tour of inspection round the shops in the Chinese quarter of the city will amuse the new comer. A large number of native Hongs fas mercantile houses HONGKONG. 19 Natiee population. Stotte cutters. Hakkas and Puntis. are termed) are engaged in commercial transactions as extensive as those conducted in the more pretentious looking establishments of Western merchants Besides the three classes above mentioned— Merchants, shopkeepers and brokers—there is an immense population of coolie labourers and vagabonds, while the boat popidation numbers nearly 27,000 souls Amongst the labouring classes, the quarry-men and stone-masons are distinguished by their incivility to foreigners and general truculence. There is an extensive export of gianite, and a large proportion of the natives have long sustained themselves by the profits of hewing this stone, which is found in huge debris scattered over the level aud lower regions. At the present day both blasting and quarry- ing are resorted to, the demand for stone for building purposes having led to regular quarries being worked to a large extent—the blasting of rocks during the day by the agency of gunpowder having become a nuisance which has called for remonstrance on the part of those living in the neighbourhood of the operations. Formerly however, the de- mand for granite as an export was but moderate, and a very considerable number of the masses being detached and accessible on every side, it only remained tor the labourer to hew or split each boulder mto blocks easy of transport to the shore. This process was, and in some cases still is perforated by the maul, chisel and wedges in a manner long practised by the granite hewers on the shores of Dublin bay and in the moun- tains that rise a little distance from them. With the maul and chisel holes are sunk at equal intervals in a right line along the surface of the rock, into which iron wedges are subsequently driven which rend the rock with extraordinary facility. The lower class native Chinese do not bear a very good character. In 1845, they were publicly designated a> a set of pirates and robbers, and their status docs not seem to have since risen. They consist of two distinct tribes, viz: the Hakkas and Puntis. The former, who come from the inland part of the Canton province, are by far the most energetic, hardworking race, and it is from them that the coolies and manual labourers are chiefly drawn. The Puntis, who have an intense antipathy to the Hakkas, are a much mare lazy race, and furnish the compradores and house-boys, the well to do tradesmen, and the majo- 20 HONGKONG. Natiee population; Hakkm and runt is. rity of the thieves and pirates who infest the island. The following remarks on the Hakka and Punti feuds which appeared in the columns of a local publication will be found interesting to the reader :— "An attentive reader of the Hongkong police reports must from time to time have observed the mysterious terms "Hak-ka" and "Pun-ti." ap- plied to opposing factions, who however much they may dwell together in unity at ordinary times, seem toward the New Year irresistibly impel- led to break each other heads with bamboo poles, to inflict all the injury mutually possible with uncouth and rusty weapons described myste- riously as " fighting-irons," and generally to infringe the Queen's peace and occupy the time of the sitting Magistrates. But with regard to the meaning of those demonstrations of enmity,—the origin of those Oriental duplicates of Celt and Saxon feuds—few could give, we imagine, a satisfactory explanation. We have set ourselves the task, therefore, of throwing what light we can upon the subject. In the first place, then, to dispose of the philological question as briefly as posible, we mvist premise that the syllables " Pun-ti" denote a native or original indweller of the soil, whilst " Hak-ka," on the con- trary, signifies a stranger, or, as we might phrase it, an immigrant from afar. These are terms which must be taken in just such a sense as that in which they would be understood in Ireland, were a Galway cottier, of the true Milesian type, to speak of the descendants of long-buried generations of Scottish settlers in the Northern counties, as "inthruders on the soil of Ould Ireland," while the amiable feelings our Galwegian would probably cherish with reference to his thriftier neighbours, would further form an exact parallel to the sentiments which impel the "Pun-ti" in Hongkong and on the mainland to make such frequent appeals to the bamboo-pole, the gingal, and the fighting iron. For if a Chinese Scotsman be imaginable, he exists surely in the laborious, saving, prolific, and irrepressible Hak-ka, who has thriven and multi- plied in his constant migrations toward the South, in such degree that he has now for many years been the object of bitter hatred on the part of the more supine " native " whom he supplants. The Hakkas, then, are immigrants into the Province of Kwang-tung, and lrom the North, (i.e. from the overpopuhted plains of Central HONGKONG. 21 Natiee pt,i,nlation; llukkas and, Punti*. China), whence large bodies of redifndant " mouths " found their way, about a century and a half ago, across the mountains into the thin- peopled districts lying around the headwaters of the East River. Here they grew and multiplied in patient thrift to such an extent that their offshoots gradually spread over the entire Province, the sea board districts of which, especially, became in a great measure peopled with successive colonies of Hakka immigrants, in search of labour. For many years this influx of strong arms and willing hearts was gladly welcomed by the wealthy Chinese cultivators of the Southern and Western Districts of Kwang-tung; but as the Hakka communities rapidly increased by their remarkable fecundity, and amassed wealth through the thrift which is one of their chitf characteristics, the Gal- wegian sentiment cropped out among their Punti neighbours, and animosity began to grow against a race who had no business to be more industrious and more prosperous than the "rale lords of the soil.' So for another term of years bickeiings went on at village-fairs and funeral processions, diversified frequently with serious clan-fights, in which much gunpowder was burnt at safe distances, and spears were vehemently brandished from opposing hill-tops. Bat in 18f)4, there was righting in rea1 earnest in Kwang-tung. A feverish restlessness was alive among the people, latent ever since the close of the war of 1841, and a local disturbance in a small town near the Bogue proved the signal for a general uprising of the masses, who were panting for license and plunder. Now, as it happened, the little circumstance of these Punti and Hakka feuds proved of inestimable service to the Chi- nese officials in their endeavours to restore the fabric of Government. Too industrious to think of rebellion and plunder, the Hakka popula- tion of the South-western Districts maintained their allegiance in the midst of universal revolt, and rendered signal service, which has more than once been gratefully acknowledged, by arming themselves at the call of the authorities and assisting the Imperial troops in crushing the insurgent Puntis. These latter, it may be well imagined, when affairs had settled down again to a quiet footing, after Yeh's determined, and not altogether unnecessary, severity, bore a vastly increased grudge against the Hakka "strangers" who had established themselves so incon- 22 HONGKONG. Natiiv. population; Hakkas and Punt is. veniently in their midst. Years of po-itive warfare followed, cadi vil- lage fighting for its own hand, the Hakkas mostly on the defensive, but the Puntis determined not only to oust but actually to exterminate the hated intruders The authorities, weakened by the greater troubles of the foreign war and the Taiping rebellion, could do little more than offer plaintive expostulations, somewhat after the manner of our present official system in New Zealand; and the Hakkas, numerically weaker and less wealthy than their enemies, became reduced to fearful straits. Thousands were carried off, either singly or in batches, and sold to the manstealers of Macao ; thousands were massacred in cold blood. One favourit" form of butchery was that of binding a Hakka prisoner to a sapling or stout bamboo, fastening his queue to the topmast branches bent downwards for the purpose, and then—cutting his throat, the sap- ling, on being let go, rending in a measure the head from the body by its rebound. At length the entire Hakka population of six districts were driven from their villages, and compelled to wander in bands ot many thousands strong, forced to plunder for a living, and rivalling in misery and desolation the sufferings of that famous Tartar Exodus, a century ago, which was selected by De Quincy a* a subject worthy of his intense and sombre eloquence. For a year or two past, these bands of Hakkas have occupied three several tracts of country between the West River and the sea, forming a species of armed colony in the midst of hostile natives, where, however, they cultivate the ground, carry on traffic, and prepare their children for the literary examination, with all the industry for which they have ever been renowned. Meanwhile the Puntis, yielding them these spots of ground, have seized and divided their farms and garden-patches throughout the remainder of the coun- try, and carry on a guerrilla warfare with them ou the outskirts of their settlements. Such is the present state of affairs among the Hak-kas and Pun-tis of the South west. In the Northern districts of the Province few disturbances have occurred, owing to the preponderance, there, of the Hak-ka element: but as the most laborious classes in this Colony, such as the chair-coolies, bricklayers, stone cutters, etcetera, are for the most part composed of Hak-kas, many of whom have participated HONGKONG. •23 Hotels; House rent; Taxes, 200 180 Quail, . , mm 120 100 26 HONGKONG. •Fowls, Capons, . Hen Eggs, . Duck Eggs, Salt Eggs, . Dried Ducks, . Snipe, • Partridges, Rabbits, Wild Geese, . Wild Ducks, Sand Hill Birds, Hill Snipe, . Hares, Squirrels, Ground, Sparrows, Rice Birds, . Wild Pigeons, . Market prices; Poultry; Fish. M3£ mn am mm M Fishes. fS Bighctt Lotctii Cath. Cask per catty 200 180 „ 150 240 per dozen 120 100 „ 140 120 „ 140 120 each — — „ 300 200 1000 800 u ii 50 500 per dozen each 150 120 Live Fish, . • £^ pel catty 160 140 Eels, • mi 1— 4* »» » 160 140 Oysters, ii 160 140 Shrimps, . • m n 140 120 Crabs,, , m u 120 100 Prawns, . ii 180 160 Lobsters, , mm n 160 150 Frogs, , mm ii 180 160 Small Turtles, ii 300 280 Large Turtles, . n 280 250 Large Fresh Fish, , mm , Mm n 180 160 Small „ „ , mm ii 140 120 Mackerel, Small, . ii 100 80 Congor Eels, Small, . ii 180 160 HONGKONG. 27 Market prices; Fishes; Vegetablo. Salt Fish, . Small Fish, Fresh Soles, Canton Salmon, Rock Fish, Shark Fish, j Skate, Turbot, . Parrot Fish, Fresh Water Fish Snipe Fish, Salmon, Pickled, Potatoes, Macao, . „ Japan, „ Californian, ,, Sweet, „ New, . Yams, Coco, Turnips, Salt, . Carrots, Salt, „ Fresh, Spinach, Indian Corn, Young Bamboo Roots, Cabbage, Large, Macao, „ White Canton, ,, Common, . „ French, Lettuce, . Celery, SM per catty Ufa mwfr Vegetables. "HPIPff Per catty, Hightst auk. 140 120 140 140 180 140 180 140 120 140 160 AM Ml ii n II H3l each per catty n 30 20 40 10 30 100 250 30 100 15 80 Lowest Cash. 100 100 120 120 160 100 160 120 100 120 140 30 20 20 15 25 15 30 8 25 90 200 25 90 10 70 28 HONGKONG. Market prices; Vegetables; Fruits. Parsley, Chinese, „ English, . Beans, Broad, . „ Long, „ French, . ,, Stringed, . Green Peas, in the Shell, Tomatoes, . Asparagus, Chillies, Dried, „ Gieen, Garlic, Ginger, . Curry Stuff, Pumpkins, Large Onions, Bombay, Green Onions. . Shalots, Turnips, . Cucumbers,. Egg Plant, Water Cress, Mushroom, Dried, English Turnips, . Radishes, . Green Sprouts, mm mm e Jtfc HLfk per catty 100 Highest Louxtt Cash. Cash. 90 mmt J". i 'J. mm , &m Jt\z Fruits. JjSL per catty per bunch per catty 40 140 100 140 160 80 140 60 50 50 60 20 140 50 50 20 60 30 120 80 120 140 70 120 50 40 40 50 15 120 40 40 15 50 20 15 400 380 40 80 Mandarin Orange, per catty 120 100 Coolie Oranges, !1 100 90 Lemons, . I1 80 70 Pineapples, . each 80 70 Pumelocs, Will 128 100 Pears, Canton, per catty 60 50 HONGKONG. 29 Market prices; Fruits. Hi'jhitt Lmeest Cash. Cash. Lychees, Dried, . . ^jffi^t Pur catty 80 60 Plums, ^ '„ 63 50 Cocoanuts, ftP^- „ 70 60 Pomegranate, . . . eacu — — Plantains, . . . per catty 60 50 Wampees, .... 5^ J^L "— Chestnuts, . . . "160 140 Walnuts, .... „ U0 120 Mangosteens, . . . P}TCj » — ~ Peanuts, .... » — Tamarinds, . . . ^njj ,i Almonds, .... fefc » 140 120 Currants, . . Wfo^ » 600 550 Raisins, .... Ijtl^fg 300 280 Bananas,. . . . %&%M » 60 40 Peaches, .... ;jC)|j „ — Mangoes, . . . "~ — Musk Melons, . . . » _ Water „ . . . Wi)Jk » ~ ~ Grapes, .... ^faffi-^ » ~ ~ Strawberries, . . . tyX^-f- » 70 60 Nanking Pears, . .' . ^M^f^ » 250 220 Peking Pears, . . . » ~ ~ Common Pears, . . , j^ty^ i, 200 180 Winter Pears, . . . 250 220 Ground Nuts, . . . it|j|£ „ 100 90 Loquats, . . . *j|[tlSj » ~ ~~ Figs, Dried, . . . $E?£^L per bottle 750 700 Dates, . . . , $§fj|t per catty — — Prunes, Dried, . . < » Carrambolas, . . < ^y^^" Plums, Water, , n Limes, .... W.\Wt n 80 60 30 HONGKONG. Market prices; Fruits. Ice house. Meteorology, Climate, &c. Highest Lowat Cash. Cash. Custard Apples, Rose Apples, Mulberries, each 31 Sugar Cane, Giiavas, Dried Apples, . per stick, per catty 260 40 220 30 Ice House.—Hongkong possesses an Ice house (situated in Queen's Road, near the Parade Ground) which is kept well supplied, during the summer months, by importation from the U. States. The usual retail price of ice is f, cents per pound, subscribers or purchasers not being allowed to take less than 5 pounds at one time. The importation and sale of this article is chiefly conducted by the "Tudor Ice Company" which owns the ice house above referred to. One or two other companies have been started in opposition, but have been unsuccessful. Meteorology, Climate and Sanitary Condition.—Hongkong, like most places in the same latitude, is visited yearly by a "wet season" which, commencing in May, extends to the beginning of August. During this period rain falls almost without intermission, and much damage has, in past years, been done by the floods consequent on the accumulation of water on the higher parts of the island. The roads of the colony have been a standing joke (somewhat an expensive one by the way) from the constant disappearance of their surface-material during the annual floods. In 1845, before the present system of drainage had been constructed, we read that on one occasion "the whole of Queen's Road, from the entrance to the large bazaar to the market-place, was completely flooded, to the depth of from two to four feet, all the streets leading upwards to the hill serving as feeders to this miniature lake. In Peel Street the torrent rushed along bearing everything before it, and the street resembled a dried-up water course covered with stones and wrecks of buildings. The passages from the Queen's Road to the sea were all full; the one leading through Chunam's Hong for hours presented the appearance of a rapid river, and many of the houses on each side were only saved from the flood by HONGKONG. 31 Climate. Sanitary condition. mud-walls hastily raised." And again, "a stream from a distant water- course flowed along the road above the bungalow occupied by the Attorney-General, and, descending with great fury upon the roof of one of his out-offices, carried away a great part of it. In many places the Queen's Road was covered with soil, sand, &c., to the depth of more then two feet, and nearly all the cross drains were choked up." Bridges were carried away and several lives were lost by the falling in of Chinese houses on this occasion. Matters are, of course,better now and the same destruction is not likely to again occur, but the above will serve as an instance of the powerful floods sometimes caused by a heavy rainfall. The climate of Hongkong is much more extreme than that of most places at the western side of Asia and Africa, on the same parallel of latitude. The annual range ot the thermometer, according to Dr. See- mann (Flora Hongkongensis P. 8), is from 74° to 93° Farh: we should ourselves place it at from 45° to 99° but the former is probably correct as an aeerage. The same authority states that "the temperature is as variable as the degree of humidity, the burning heats of a tropical sun alternating with the cold devastating fury of a Chinese typhoon." During the months of July and August—the hottest in the year—the maximum heat shown by the thermometer is about 94° Fahr., and the minimum in the same time about 80°. The difference between the heat of the day and night is generally about 10 degrees. In winter the thermometer sometimes sinks as low as the freezing point, but this is rare. One great error committed by Europeans is a foolhardy exposure to the rays of the sun, which almost invariably results in sickness. Even in winter the shade of an umbrella is necessary. During this latter season, however, sudden changes take place, a day of almost tropical heat being followed by a cutting northerly wind, which makes great coats without, and fires within the house an absolute necessity. The heavy downfalls of, rain and changes of temperature do not of course conduce to the salubrity of Hongkong as a residence. Mr. Swinhoe's explanation of the unhealthiness, in his recently published work, is, that it is owing to the settlement "being completely shut in from 32 HONGKONG. Climate. Sanitary condition. the gentle southerly gales by the towering rocks which rise immediately behind it, and retain lor hours after sunset the violent heat which had pervaded the atmosphere during the sunny hoiu-s of the summer's day. Again, when the sun suddenly appears after a heavy shower, the saturated moisture is quickly evaporated and collects in unhealthy vapor along the hill sides, where it hangs for days together undisturbed by the gentle influence of a cooling breeze." A writer in the Times discussing the cause of the recent mortality amongst the troops stationed here (1864-65) thus alludes to the same question, and we quote the following paragraph verbatim as being well worth the attention of our readers: "English women and English men have a fixed belief, which nothing can shake, that a seashore, particularly one with a mountain behind, and most of all a mountainous island, must be healthy, nay so super- abundantly healthy as to supply a stock of health that will last many months afterwards. Even in England this is often found a mistake, or only true in a conditional and modified sense in Hongkong. The mountain is said to be composed of a very friable granite, through which water is always oozing, more or less, from some unknown source —geologists even say, from the mainland of China. It is even said there is something deleterious in this water, or, rather, in the constant disintegration of the granite. It is not, however, necessary to suppose any positive malaria, such as would require a chymical explanation. Wherever, as on the slopes of our own sand-hills and gravel-hills, there lis, at a certain level, a perpetual exudation of the water filtering through tthe mass above, there is sure to be a liability to fever. There will always be spots, even where no water shows, where the soil will be overcharged with moisture, and whence a vapor will ascend. Persons exposed to this vapor throughout all the diurnal changes of the tem- perature will be liable to chill, and to fever; of course all the more, if they are neglecting the usual conditions of health as to diet, exercise, clothing, artificial warmth, and the like. From all accounts, it is not easy to escape spots of this malarious character at Hongkong; and if it ever is to be a healthy station, our soldiers must not be housed as they have been hitherto." HONGKONG. .,33 Hmtitary Condition. The first time that public attention appears to have been forcibly directed to the unhealthiness of Hongkong as a military station appears to have been in August 1843, when a paragraph appeared in the Chinese Repository, which was at that time almost the only journal published, to the effect that the sickness of the detachment of the 55th Regiment stationed at the West Point barracks had been so great that the whole of the men had been transferred to a ship in the harbour. The cases were chiefly fever, which prevailed most extensively at the extreme East and West ends of the town. From this year till 1846, however, a marked decrease in the rate of mortality become observable, and the reports of that and subsequent years laid much stress upon the "preventibility" of the diseases under which the troops suffered —undue exposure to the sun, excess in eating and drinking and the unwholesome locality of the barracks being pointed out as the exciting causes. Amongst the colonists generally a better acquaintance with the nature of the climate and greater personal care have resulted in a comparative freedom from endemic disease. But the troops have to the present day continued to suffer extremely, aud the excessive mortality in the 11th Regiment has become the subject of Parliamen- tary enquiry. From the able report for 1865 drawn up by Dr Murray, the Colonial Surgeon, we learn some new facts connected with the present sanitary condition of the colony. This year was believed by many to have been one of the most fatal in the decade, but the actual mortality amongst Europeans and Americans was below that of the two years immediately preceding. Much cause for anxiety was given by the appearance of a new epidemic which was, or resembled, Yellow fever. We quote Dr. Murray's words as to its first appearance: "An observation of Meteorological currents for many years past had induced the belief that, unless the temperature be kept down by an abundant fall of rain, the summer of 1865 would prove to be the point at which the Thermometrical wave would attain its highest altitude, and the greatest amount of insalubrity would, based upon somewhat similar calculations, have nearly coincided with this maximum tem- 34 HONGKONG. Sanitary Condition. Colonial Surgeon's report for 1865; first appearance of Yellow fever. pcrature. Unfortunately the rain all throughout the year proved to be much below the average—and possibly to this cause may be attribut- ed in no slight degree the appearance ot an epidemic, happily as yet almost entirely restricted to the Chinese population, but which has not, as far as I an aware, been hitherto described as occurring in China if indeed in the Eastern hemisphere.* It was first recognized in Victoria Gaol upon the 3rd of March, when a prisoner, who was said to have come directly from Macao, was seized with symptoms closely resembling those of Yellow fever. No new case occurred until the 15th of the same month, and during the whole of March there had been 5 cases only, but, of these, three had terminated fatally. The disease increased rapidly until it attained its acme1 on the 2nd of May, on which day there were 46 cases in Hospital, inclusive of 15 admissions on that day. From that period it commenced to decline, but did not entirely disap- pear until there had been 373 admissions and 40 deaths. "The disease was not however limited to Victoria Gaol, but prevail- ed throughout the Town, among the lower classes principally. There are 373 cases recorded as admitted into the Government Civil Hospital, of which no less than 40 died; but it is doubtful whether these weie all ascertained cases of the epidemic, and not in some simply a severe form of bilious fever. The disease was most easily studied in the Gaol, and upon the observation of it, as it there presented itself, I have based these remarks. As I have already said, the number of admissions were 373 and the deaths 40, which after all is not very high for any epide- mic, and nothing in comparison to the usual mortality in Cholera. Very few Europeans were attacked, a comparatively small number of Indians, and no females were brought under its influence. The treat- ment which I found most successful was the immediate administration of an emetic, followed by a calomel purge, and either quinine or calomel and opium according to the circumstances of the particular case ; a hot bath was given when the fever ran high, and blisters to the head and sinapisms to the stomach and feet had frequently to be resorted to. * The similarity of the local fever to Yellow fever was noticed by the Colonial Surgeon in Ms report for 1847-4 8.—(Ed). HONGKONG. :);, Sanitary Condition. Yellow fever. Small pox. During convalescence, quinine and beef tea and wine were freely ad- ministered. I believe that scarcely a single case terminated fatally where there had been sufficient time to get the gums slightly affected by the mercury. "Poverty and destitution appeared to be one of the most marked predisposing causes of the disease, and the long drought and great heat were probably in some measure the exciting causes. It is somewhat remarkable that not a case of Yellow fever occurred on Stone-cutter's Island, the convict establishment of the Colony. "Small pox appeared as usual in the months of January, February and March, but the mortality did not exceed that of previous years, nor was the number of admissions into Hospital for this disease above the average. Cholera may be said to have been absent in its epidemic form—although several sudden cases have occurred among the com- munity. The admission of one patient, only, sulfering under this disease. is recorded in the returns of the Government Civil Hospital and two in those of the Seaman's Hospital." It will be noticed that the above remarks apply only to prisoners and the lower class Chinese. During 1865 the foreign population happily enjoyed an immunity, unknown in previous years, from disease; but we think it well to record the first appearance of so terrible a scourge as yellow fever. We subjoin hereunder a table compiled by Dr. Murray shewing the rate of mortality during the last eight years. It excludes the military and merchant and naval seamen. "From the manner in which the table is compiled" says the Colo- nial Surgeon "it is impossible to say positively, whether the amount of sickness as well as the mortality has been less; but I am inclined to believe that it has really been very much greater, and that the actual rate of mortality has only not appeared by reason of the number of invalids who have left the Colony, either in time to recover their health, or to be counted in the death returns of some other place. I believe that it is the opinion of the majority of the medical practi- tioners here, that no such sickly year as the past, has been experienced since 1853." 30 HONGKONG. Table of Mortality. Flora, <-caprae, trailing to an immense distance along the sands, and rooting at intervals, the spiny glaucous coarse grass Spinifex squarrosus, Acanthus ilicifolius, which covers the mud of salt estuaries mingled with Kandelia Rheedii, Guilandina bonducella, forming in someplaces impenetrable thickets, Wollustonia scabriuscula, Crotalaria calycina, Aegiceras majiis, Hibiscus tiliaceus, which affords a magnificent spectacle when covered with its fine sulphur-colored flowers, which are much infested by a large black ant, Glossogyne tenuifolia, a Pandanus (much used as a hedge by the the natives, who also eat the tender shoots, by which means, and by constant clipping, it remains stemless, though, when left to itself, it assumes an arborescent form) the lovely and fragrant Crinum asiaticum, <$•<:. Amongst those plants which occupy a suboidinate position in the Flora, but are still more or less common and characteristic, must be enumerated the pretty little Curculigo orchioides, with leaves like a Lutula, which expands its star-like golden-colored blossoms close to the earth on the advent of spring, Rourea microphylla, Ternstroemiajaponica, Ficus pyriformis, F. hirta and others, the fine scarlet-flowered Ixora slricta, Begonia laciniata, Rhaphiolepis indica, which replaces our hawthorn, Aeginetia indica, Bambusae, the elegant Homalium fagijolium^ HONGKONG. 39 Bota/iiy. Mussaenda pubescens, conspicuous for its enlarged snow-white calyx segment, Paliums Aubletia with its divaricate 'spiny branches, Stillingia sebifera the tallow-tree, the purple-bloomed Pierostigma gi andiflorum, Osbeckia chinensis, &c. Cardiospermum microcarpum, with its bladdery fruit, scrambles amongst the herbage, amidst which rise the pretty lilac spikes of Ophiopogon spicatus. Several hollies, Pittosporum glabratum and Syzygium buxijolium please the eye by the neatnes of their foliage, round which Cuscuta japonica, Toxocarpus Wightianus and several Bau- hinias twine their slender stems. To these must be added the grey- leaved arborescent Sponia eelutina, the delicate Salomonia cantoniensis, Oxalis corniculata, Rubus parvifolius, R. leucanthus and R. refltxus, the latter remarkable for the extreme beauty of its foliage, the beautiful Caesalpina eernalts, Zomia diphylla, which enamels the turf with its minute yellow blooms, resembling those of our meadow vetchling, Asparagus lucidus, several species of Vitis, and amongst ferns, Osmunda javanica and Blechnum orientale. Streamlets and their banks, moist rocks and inundated localities are rendered gay by the delicate Drosera Loureirii, Xyris paucijlora, the elegant Lysimachia alpestris, white, yellow and blue-flowered Utricu- laiiae, the tall Philydrum lanuginosum, Ludwigia and Jussiaea, Hype- ricum japomcum, several species of Eriocaulon, raising their clustered globular heads above the clear water, amidst the lively green fronds of Ceratopteris thalictroides; whilst way- sides and arid places furnish the ephemeral Cyanotis axillaris, and several Commelynae, Polygona, Alter- nanthera sessilis, thorny Atalantiae, two or three Sidae, our garden Chrysanthemum with single yellow flowers, Emilia sonchifolia, Corchorus acutangvlus, Triumfeita angulata and T. pilosa and Urena lobata, all three employed by the Chinese as demulcents and emollients in blennorrhoea and other diseases, on account of the great quantity of mucilage they con- tain. Eulalia japonica growing in thick tufts, attains a height of six or eight feet, and elevates its beautiful light feathery panicles amongst the rocks, mingled with the drooping inflorescence of the graceful native reed Arundo madagascariensis. The dark blue berries of Dianella ensifolia hang pendulous above its sword-like leaves, along with the cedar-scented Car- yopteri* mastaranthui and the graceful lilac hells of Slrobilanthes opricus. 40 HONGKONG. Botany. Riuleral plants. Amongst rv.deral plants (by which are understood all those that, though not cultivated, are yet only found in the immediate vicinity of dwellings, or in places formerly occupied by them, and which appear in many instances to follow the footsteps of man spontaneously) are the following:—Solaiium nigrum and S. indicum with purple flowers and yellow fruits like that of the potato, Amarantus spinosus, Xanthium discolor, Asclepias curassavica, Plantago maior, the Guava, Stellaria aquatica and S. uliginosa. Datura alba (the seeds of which are burnt by burglars, when attempting to enter a dwelling, iu order by their fumes to stupify the inmates) Polanisia icosandra, Cardamine hirsuta, Bidens chinensis, Corchorus capsularis, Bryophyllum calycinum, the singular Euphorbia Tiruoalli, with its leafless, green, quill-like branches, abound- ing in a violently acrid milky juice, said to be employed by the Chinese for blinding those children whom they wish to bring up.as mendicants, in order thereby to excite compassion, Siegesbeckia orientalis, Cassia occidentalis, Sonchus ciliatus, Ricinus communis, Verbena officinalis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, 2 Docks, Plumbago Zeylanica, Vinca rosea, Physalis angulata, Passiflora foetida, &c. The silvan flora consist of nine species of Oak, amongst which the fruit of Quercus cornea, resembling a chestuut in taste, is sold in the markets, a beautiful chestnut, the straight white-stemmed Altingia chinensis, the lovely Styrax odoratissima, with its Syringa-like white blossoms exhaling a powerful odor of violets, Acer reticulatum, Camellia hongkongensis, Vaccinium chinense, Pentaphylax euryi ides, Acronychia cyminosma, several species of Euonymus, Aquilaria gi-andi/lora, Memecylon ligvsti ifolium, Myrica rubra, Engelhardtia chrysolepis, Rhodoleia Cham- pioni, Scolopia, two species of Elaeocarpus, Rhapis Jlabelliformis, the sweet-scented Schoepfia chinensis, &c. At the foot of the hills on the slopes of which these woods occur, are ravines, whereof the sides are in some places formed by steep rocks, the humid shady ledges of which are clothed by the lovely Chirita sinensis, the exquisite Cypri- pedium purpuratum, Pentasacme Championi, Pholidota chinensis, Pellionia scabra, and a few others. Higher up, and in sheltered localities, these woods become in some parts much denser, and assume a far more tropical aspect, as is indicated by the great abundance of Lycopodia, HONGKONG. -11 Botany. and the appearance cf Cibotium glaucescens, Aqdenium nidus, and Psilotum triquetrum; whilst the trunks of the trees are clothed by a climbing large glossy-leaved Rhaphidophora, and the epiphytal Poly- podium pertiisum. At or near the summits of the different peaks, where, from altitude and the free exposure to both monsoons, the temperature is much lower than on the flanks of the hills, a difference of as much as 10 degrees existing in the summer season, the vegetation has a more European aspect. It comprises the pretty but scentless Viola diffusa, three or four honeysuckles, Clematis Meyeniana, Polygala elegans, the lovely Enkyantlius quiiique florus—the new-year flower of the Chinese, Phaius grandifolius, Rhododendron squamalum and E. indicum, the latter so profuse a flowerer that it looks at a distance, when brought into re- lief by the dusky sides of the rocks or the dry grass, like a bush of fire, the azure Exacum helium replacing our gentians, Torenia rubeiis, Cirsium chinense, Lilium longifiorurn, affording a magnificent spectacle with its large cernuous white flowers seven inches long, the elegant little Gerbera ovalifolia, Ainslinea fragrans, whose flowers smell of almond paste, and Farfugium Kaempjeri, confined to the damp ledges of water-falls; whilst the deep green luxuriant carpet of verdure is enamelled by the most beautiful Orchids, such as the golden SpatJto- glottis Fortuni, Arundina chinensis, the modest Spiranthes austra/is, Platanthera galeandra, Platanthera Susannae, with its laciniate snowy blossoms, Glossaspis tentaculata, fyc.; and the heath-like Baeckia frutes- cens, which, when rubbed between the hands, exhales a most pleasant aromatic odor, springs up in moist places, with the rigid glaucous Lepidosperma chinense, various species of Scleria, Carex Harlandi, and Ga/mia tristis. The normal or characteristic species, those which are most widely distributed, most numerous, and which most clearly strike the ob- server, as constituting the peculiar and distinguishing features of the vegetation are, amidst a thick but rather coarse turf, consisting of species of Cyperus, especially in damp localities, Paspalum, Panicvm, hchaemum, Andropogon, Heteropogon, Eragrostis, Chrysopogon, Cyno- don, Lycopodium txrnuum,