Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/60

 CHAPTER III.

“THROUGH THE DELTA.

}) HE delta of the Pearl River is one of the most remarkable in the world, in the richness of its soil, in the varied products it annually gives forth, and in the density of jts population. Its apex is at Sam-~shui (Three Rivers), the point where the West, North, and Pearl Rivers mingle their waters. About fifty miles west of Canton its longest side runs south-east from that point, passing through the great cities of Fat-shén and Canton, and ending in the Bay of Lintin, its whole length being about one hundred and forty miles, The west side goes down from the same point ina straight line from north to south for two-thirds of its way, when a portion of the main stream of this West River is deflected, and flows through numerous creeks and canals, dissecting the lower portion of the San-ui district, which join their waters with a stream from the west, and pour into the sea through the Ngai-mun, the most westerly mouth of the delta. Leaving beautiful Sha-meen, with its massive bund and elliptical line of evergreen banyans, behind which are embowered the stately residences of the foreign com- munity, we cross the little harbour called by the natives