On hurrying upon deck early in the morning to view the mouth of the Si-Kiang, or Tigris, I found that we had already passed it, and were a long way up the river.

I saw it, however, subsequently, on my return from Canton to Hong-Kong.

The Si-Kiang, which is one of the principal rivers of China, and which, at a short distance before entering the sea, is eight nautical miles broad, is so contracted by hills and rocks at its mouth, that it loses one half of its breadth.

The surrounding country is fine, and a few fortifications on the summits of some of the hills, give it rather a romantic appearance.
Near Hoo-man, or Whampoa, the stream divides into several branches; that which flows to Canton being called the Pearl stream.

Although Whampoa of itself is an insignificant place, it is worthy of note, as being the spot where, from the shallowness of the water, all deeply laden ships are obliged to anchor.
Immense plantations of rice, skirted by bananas and other fruit- trees, extend along the banks of the Pearl stream.