112
REV. MR. KRONE
wealthy man, desirous of having a tablet erected in remembrance of his merits, built a stone bridge across the river about ten yards above the old one. The building cost him 200 taels, but the first rainy season carried it away, as the structure was supported only on granite piles, which rested on the sandy bed, and yielded to the slightest force. All attempts to repair it were fruitless.
The principal streams of the plain San-keaou, unite in the Pik-tou river, which, as before stated, forms the northern boundary of the district for eight or ten miles; only a few small streams discharge themselves directly into the sea. The Pik-tou river is by far the largest of the district. It has several tributaries, which have their rise partly from the Yeong-toi mountain, and partly from the mountain range which forms the northern boundary of the district. It is navigable for light craft for eight miles from its mouth, and as it is difficult of approach, on account of its course being bounded either by very precipitous banks or extensive marshy ground, it is a favourite and safe refuge for pirates. The villages scattered along its banks, are inhabited by traders with Canton, Hongkong, and Tung-kun, and fishermen who occasionally act as pirates when a favourable opportunity occurs.
The Mow-chow river, of which the Wang-kang and San-keaou rivers are tributaries, empties itself into the Pik-tou river, at a short distance before it pours its waters into the estuary of the Pearl river. Both these rivers are only navigable at high water, when light craft are able to get up as far as Wang-kang and San-keaou respectively. The greatest depth at low water seldom exceeds from two to four feet. The wells of the villages through which the rivers pass are always brackish, doubtless in consequence of the tidal flow, which is perceptible to a great extent throughout the district.
Among the fifty "remarkable bridges" which the district boasts, and which have generally very pompous names, there are few of any importance; a few are of solid masonry, and have several arches.
A hot sulphurous spring in the neighbourhood of Tuk-lat1 between San-keaou and the Yeong-toi mountain, attracts the notice of the traveller. It is situated between two gently rising hills in the midst of rice-fields, and the steam which constantly rises from the several springs is visible at a considerable distance.