Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 187

1850.

Topography of Hunan.

761

IV. The department of Hangchau lies east of the preceding, be- tween Changshá fü on the north and Kweiyáng chau on the south. The surface of the country is rather mountainous, aud covered with forests; the Hang shán extend eighty leagues in a southwest direction towards Pauking; the land is fertile, and the water privileges for irrigation and transportation superior to those in Pauking fú.

V. The department of Chúngteh lies west of the Tungting lake, and east of Yungshun fű; it is one of the most fertile and level portions of the province. The town is built near the embouchure of the River Yuen. Its orchards are celebrated for a variety of the orange, which ripens after other sorts are out of season, and forms a common article of export.

VI. The department of Shinchau lies west of Páuking and Chángteh, and north of Yuenchau; its chief town is situated at the junction of the Yuen and Shin rivers, where most of the trade of the region centres. The department contains many towns along the rivers, but the inhabi- tants of the mountains, probably descendants of the Mitutsz', are regarded by the lowlanders as no better than savages.

VII. The department of Yuenchau was taken off from the south- western part of the preceding, partly in order to exercise a stronger supervision over the aborigines, and guard the frontier of Keiwchau.

VIII. The department of Yungchau is one of the largest in the province, occupying most of its southern portion; the chief town is pleasantly situated on the River Siáng, not far from the borders of Kwangsi, but most of the population dwells farther south at the extremity of the province. The mountains within its circuit are covered with forests of valuable timber, much of which finds its way to Canton.

IX. The department of Yungshun occupies the northwest corner of the province, and was set off as a prefecture from Chángteh fű: The country is generally level, and its productious similar to those of Changteh, rice being the principal staple.

X, XI, XII. The three inferior departments of Kienshaw, Fung- hwáng and Yungsui, all lie along the western frontier; they were par- titioned off from Shinchau fú, and each of the towns is the headquarters of a garrison. Fungsui is the northernmost, and Funghwáng the south- ern of the three, the latter lying a few leagues north of Yuenchau.

XIII. The inferior department of Li was taken off from the western part of Yohchau, and includes all that part lying north of lake Tung- ting, and west of the Lienhi shweior Lily-lake river. It is one the most fertile parts of the province.

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