Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 645

1842.

Topography of Shánsı.

623

treme southwestern corner, and is the residence of the magistrate of the district Yungtsí. Northward froin this city stand the chief ones of the districts Lintsin, l'shí, Wanhí, Wantsíuen, and Yunghó. South from these and east from Yungtsí is Yühiảng.

IV. The department of Lú-án is in the southeastern part of the province, occupying the country in which the southern branches of the Chucháng() take their rise. It is bounded on the north, by the department of Tsin; on the east by that of Chángte, in Hó- nán; on the south by that of Tsechau; and on the west by that of Pingyáng. On one of our Chinese maps there is a low range of hills extending from the Yellow river almost up to the Great Wall, form- ing a part of the southern and eastern boundaries of the province. This ridge makes the eastern boundary of Lí-án, and the river Chu- cháng flows through it, running eastward. The shape of this river, on the east side of the ridge, is like a bill-hook. On the outer bend of the river, are four branches nearly equidistant from each other. The country is hilly, but affords a good deal of arable ground; and being well watered, uniformly yields plentiful harvests.

V. The department of Fanchau stands on the western bank of the river Fan (or Fwen, as Du Halde calls it,) about midway be- tween the cities of Táiyuen and Pingyáng. Two of its eight dis- tricts are on the east of the Fan; the others are between the Fan and the Yellow rivers. The chief city—if we may determine its site by the Chinese maps-stands on a plain some miles from the river. The general features of the country resemble those of the depart- ments of Táiyuen and Pingyáng.

VI.

The department of Tsechau is situated on the south of those of Lú-án and Pingyáng, having the department of Kiáng for its west- ern boundary, and the province of Honán for its southern and east- ern. On these two last named sides, the long low ridge, above alluded to, forins the line of demarkation: it is called Táiking shán (★ 17 μ), which might be translated the High-way hill, or the

hill which makes a high road. It is watered by the Tsin and the Tán

rivers.

VII. The department of Tátung is bounded on the north and northwest by the country of the Cháhárs; on the east by the pro- vince of Chilí; on the south by Chili and the department of Tái

(H); and on the west by that of Sohping. It is a very mountain- (代):

ous region, having branches of the Great Wall on its northern and southern frontiers, and watered by the Sángkáu and its tributaries.

VIII. The department of Ningwu lies on the south of the Great

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