Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 244

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Tytam promontory, and steering a course due northwest, between the Lamma and Hongkong, you will enter the harbor of Victoria near Green island.

The surface of Hongkong is exceedingly uneven, rising into nume- rous ridges and peaks, and having only a few narrow patches of level and arable land. The highest peak, called “

The highest peak, called "Victoria," does not exceed two thousand feet. In the deep ravines, there are streams of excellent and neverfailing water. Nanies have been given, on Bel- cher's chart to several peaks, and their heights indicated. Thus, Victoria, or Possession peak," is 1825 feet; "High West," is 1774 feet; "Mount Gough," 1575; "Mount Kellett," 1131; “Mount Parker," 1711; Pottinger peak,” 1016 feet.

In the vallies and on the hill sides, iu many places, you may find a deep rich soil, and a luxuriant covering of tall coarse grass. Forest and fruit trees appear only here and there. If planted they would no doubt grow plentifully. Previouly to 1841, nearly every patch of arable ground was cultivated, yielding rich crops of rice, peas, beans, sweet potatoes, &c.

Trap, granite, and hornblend, are the principle rocks. The first named seems to be the most plentiful. Much of the granite is found in large round masses, and is procured in great abundance for build ing. Much of the soil along the ridges is mere disintegrated rock, and in some places the strata of new earth are as distinctly seen as they could have been ween solid rock.

Victoria, the capital of the colony and the seat of the government, has as get little more than the outlines of a city. Its length from east to west is nearly three miles. It has been proposed to divide it into three districts-Central, Eastern, and Western.

For further particulars the reader is referred to the Chinese Re- poitory vol. XIV. p. 293, &c., vol. XV. p. 135, and to the Hong- kong Almanack and Directory.

The population of Hongkong in 1841 was 7,450; at the end of 1845 it was estimated to be 13,330; and at the present time, end of 1846, it may be 15,000 or even more.