Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 345

1841.

Topographical Account of Chusan.

331.

from the central provinces of China. Charcoal is plentiful and cheap, and mineral coal is brought in small quantities from the main- land, but appeared not to be of very good quality. The horned cattle are evidently few; nor are there many goats, and, so far as could be learned, no sheep; but hogs are numerous, as also are geese, ducks, and fowls. Fish at first was brought only in small quantities, but afterwards the market was abundantly supplied.

The roads which intersect the island are paved footpaths passing in every direction across the lowest parts of the ridges, and are in many places.steep and difficult of ascent. There are no wheel-car- riages of any description, so that all goods, even the most weighty articles, are transported by men.

Great diversity of opinion exists regarding the population of the island. The official reports to the native government give 40,000 families or houses; and, allowing five individuals to each, (and this is perhaps by no means too large an allowance,) the population would be 200,000. From all that was seen of the number of people in the large villages, this estimate will probably be found to be lower than the actual number.

This district is divided into 34 chwang,-18 are upon the chief island or Chusan,-and 16 include all the islands of any conse- quence subordinate to it. Pooto forms an exception, being free from all imposts, and under the direction of a chief priest or abbot residing in the principal temple. He possesses the island, and a few others to the south of it, as the property of the monasteries, paying no revenue, and only being in penal matters under the control of the magistrate of Tinghae.

The chwang, or divisions, on Chusan, are composed chiefly of large valleys, and are hence called aou. Each has one or more streams running through it, and affording means of irrigation; and every large valley is separated from its neighbors by hills surrounding it on three sides, leaving only one side open, to the sea. To this, there are two exceptions, namely of two inland valleys, one communicating with a more southerly, the other with a more northerly, one.

There are also two or three chwang that comprise two large valleys, with a com- munication between the two through a gap in the hills.

The sixteen chwang under which the subordinate islands are rang. ed are here briefly mentioned.

1-3. Kintang (or Silver island), comprising three chwang.

4. Tsihtsze (Tsatsu or Blackwall island).

5-6. Taeseay (or Tygosan), divided into two chwang.

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