differ remarkably from Hindostan, and other countries which they resemble in fertility? In the abundance and variety of their metalliferous products. CHAPTER XXXI. LAOS, COCHIN-CHINA, SIAMPA. Where is Laos ? Laos is entirely an inland region, watered by the Maykaung river, and bounded on the north by China; on the east by Tonquin and Cochin-China; on the south by Cambodia; and on the west by Siam and the Burman Empire. Between what parallels of latitude is it situated? Between the 16th and 22nd degrees of N. latitude. What is the amount of population? 1,400,000. Name the capital. Mohang-Leng, a large city enclosed with palisades, upwards of 100 leagues north of Lautchang, and situate upon the banks of the Maykaung, which there runs over a rocky channel. Describe the position and extent of Cochin-China. Cochin-China extends from nearly the 8th to the 22nd degree of N. lat., and from the 103rd to the 108th degree of E. long. Its greatest breadth is at its northern and southern extremities, where, however, it does not exceed 180 miles: in the middle it is a narrow strip, bounded by the sea, and the mountains of Laos, What is the extent of its coast? 1200 miles. Name its conquered provinces. Tonquin, Siampa, and greater part of Cambodiá. To what circumstance did this empire chiefly owe its agrandisement? To the assistance the King Caung Shung obtained from a French missionary and fourteen or fifteen European adventurers, who, in 1790, enabled him to form a fleet, discipline an army, and expel the usurpers of his possessions, and subsequently, also, to conquer Tonquin, a kingdom greater and more populous than his own. Name the island on the coast which the French wanted to obtain possession of. The island of Callao, not far from Turon Bay. What are the advantages of Cochin-China? That country is admirably situated for carrying on an extensive commerce with China, Japan, Cambodia, Siam, the Malay coast, the Phillipine Islands, Borneo, the Moluccas, &c. affording, in short, room there for another commercial empire like that which Great Britain at present holds in India. What has been considered the best position for an establishment, either in a commercial or political point of view? Turon. What is the population of Cochin-China? The lowest estimate is 10,000,000 of inhabitants. It is bounded on the north by Tonquin; on the east by the Chinese sea; on the south by Siampa; and on the west by a range of mountains very little known. What is the nature of the coasts? Sandy beaches are the prevalent characteristics. Where the shores are steep and mountainous, there are said to be no soundings. What is the quality of the soil? In many places three crops are said to be produced annually. In every part the face of the country is cultivated. There are no fences, nor carriages of any kind. What are the chief articles cultivated? Sugar-canes are plentiful, and sugar of an excellent quality is made; the refining of it is carried to a degree of perfection unknown in other parts of the world. What is the process? This is performed by intermixing layers of the sugar, one inch in thickness, with similar layers of the herbaceous part of the plantain tree. Of what quality is the rice? Of two kinds: one growing on a dry soil, the other on a soil that is wet. What articles besides these are produced? Cotton, silk, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, areca-nut, betel, and tobacco. Vines are said to grow spontaneously, but the grapes are seldom made into wine. Amongst the fruits, are two very remarkable, viz. :—the giacca and the durion. Silk is so abundant that even the peasants and mechanics wear garments made of it when following their usual occupations. Whole plains are covered with mulberry-trees. Timber is abundant, of the finest qualities and most durable properties. Two kinds, one called the aquilia or "eagle wood," the other the calamba, are greatly sought after as a mercantile commodity over the east. Both proceed from the same tree, belonging to the genus agallochum; but what is called "eagle wood" is procured from the tree when young, and the calamba when it is grown old. The fragrance and perfume of this wood is exquisite.* In Japan it sells for 200 ducats per pound, it is used in eastern countries for various purposes; amongst others, pieces of it are placed under the pillows of kings and other persons of high rank. What minerals are found? Gold is found in the rivers, and several mines are open, from which that metal is procured in a state of great purity. Silver was formerly scarce, but owing, it is supposed, to the recent discovery of mines, it is now so plentiful, as to be the chief medium of exchange for foreign goods. What articles are brought from the mountainous parts and exchanged? Gold-dust, wax, honey, and ivory, are exchanged for cloth, cotton, rice, and iron. What is the state of the fisheries? The fisheries upon the coast are very productive, and the fish are of the rarest and most delicious kinds. Describe the sauce they use called balachiam. It may be remarked that the most fragrant herb as yet found in the Australiau interior bears the same name, viz:-Čalomba. It is made of salt fish, macerated and steeped in water. This forms a sharp liquor not unlike mustard, and serves to sharpen the appetite to the rice, which they cannot eat without it, and for this reason they who can afford to do so, lay in large stocks of it. Are the edible birds-nests found in Cochin-China? The islands abound in the nests of the salangan swallow, or hirundo esculenta, so much in request among Chinese epicures. Name the capital of Cochin-China. Hué; the constant residence of the king. About 372 miles S.S.E. of Backinh, and 470 E.N.E. of Siam. What is its extent? The new city is of a quadrangular form, the extent within the walls being upwards of five miles. It was laid out according to technical rules of fortification by the late king. The arsenal contains not only iron cannon, but much brass ordnance; shot and shells are manufactured in Cochin-China. The river Hué flows through the city. Describe the position and extent of Siampa? This district commences at the north-east point of the small Gulf of Siagon in 10° 30' N. lat., and terminates in 12° 13' N. lat., where it joins the division of Chang; having Cambodia on the north-west, and Cochin-Chinaproper on the N.E. This region extends along the shore above 140 miles from S. W., to N.E., and about 60 from S. E. to N. W., the inland boundary being the great chain of mountains, which, running N. E., and S. W. separate Cochin-China and Siampa from Cambodia. The coast is furnished with a number of good bays and harbours, the interior is almost unknown, as it is never visited by Europeans for the purpose of trade. What articles are exported? The only exportable articles are gold, purer than that of China, and Calamba wood, which they give the Chinese traders in exchange for tea, ordinary silk, chinaware and provisions. CHAPTER XXXII. TONQUIN. Describe the extent and boundaries of Tonquin. Tonquin, called also by the natives An-nam, is a large and extensive country, formerly independent, but at present comprehended in the Cochin-China empire. It lies between 17° and 23° N. lat., and 101° and 108° E. long., and is supposed to be 420 miles from north to south, and from 400 to 450 from east to west. It is bounded by Laos on the west; by China on the north; on the east by the Chinese sea; and on the south by Cochin-China proper. Name the capital, and describe its situation. It is named Bae-King, or Kee-ho, and is situated about 40 leagues from the sea, upon the banks of the great river Sau-koy, and in 20° north latitude. Name the principal cities. In this kingdom these are reckoned twelve in number, viz. :-Bae-king or Kee-ho, said to contain about 40,000 inhabitants; Hauring, 15 to 20,000; Tranhane 10 to 15,000; Causang 7 to 8000; Vihoang on the river which passes through Tonquin, at the point to which the Chinese junks can ascend; and Hunnam, a town on the same river, containing about 5000 inhabitants and in which the Dutch had formerly a factory. Besides these there are six other towns containing from 6 to 7000 souls. What are the principal physical features of Tonquin ? On the N. and W. this country is mountainous, abounding in woods, pastures, and mines. On the side next China, a range of high mountains runs along the frontiers, forming a natural boundary through which there is only one pass fortified with a high wall. The lower part of Tonquin is a level country: the principal part of the maritime provinces having been gained from the sea. It abounds with canals and dykes, and in this particular resembles Holland. According to tradition, the capital, which now stands 100 miles inland, was |