COCHIN-CHINA.
SAIGON.
Saigon, the capital of French Cochin China, is situated on the Saigon river, a branch of the Donnai, in latitude 10 deg. 50 min. N., and longitude 104 deg. 22 min. E. Saigon was conquered by the Franco-Spanish fleet on the 17th February, 1859, but Lower Cochin China, (comprising the provinces of Giadinh, Bienhoa, and Mytho, and the Islands of Pulo Condor), was not definitely occupied until 1862, when it was formally surrendered by treaty; in 1867, three more provinces were conquered by the French and added to their possessions, viz., Chandoc, Hatien, and Vinblong. The actual boundaries of French Cochin China now are: on the North the kingdoms of Annam and Cambodia, on the East and South, the China Sea, on the West the Gulf of Biam and the kingdom of Cambodia.
French Cochin China is divided into six large provinces comprising in all nineteen Inspections. Besides Saigon, which is the capital of Cochin China and at the same time of the province of Giadinh, the other chief towns bear the names of their respective provinces, Bienhoa, Mytho, Chandoc, Vinhlong, and Hatien.
The colony measures in breadth about 80 leagues and in length an average of 50 leagues; its population amounts to 1,500,000 inhabitants. The European population, exclusive of the official element, is very small. The country resembles a vast plain with small hills on the West and some mountains on the East and North; the three highest are Batlen 884 metres, Baria 493 metres, and the Moi mountains 550 and 600 metres in height. The principal rivers are the two Vaico, the Saigon River, and the Bienhoa or Donnai river. The lower parts of French Cochin China are wrinkled with small creeks or arroyos, giving easy and rapid communication to all parts of the country. Of late numerous canals have been opened. The magnit ent river Mei- kong, which descends from the Thibetan mountains, after running through different territories crosses Cambodia, enters the lower provinces of French Cochin China by two branches, and empties itself into the China Sea by five large outlets called respectively Cua Tieu, Của Balai, Cua Cochien, Cua Dinh-an, and Cua Batac.
The principal product of French Cochin China is rice. It it planted in almost every province except some of the Northern districts. At the present time the country can produce from 7,000,000 to 9,000,000 piculs yearly, and a little over 5,000,000 piculs is annually exported. After this important grain the principal products