CHUSAN  , the

principal island of a group situated off the eastern coast of China, in 30° N . 1220 E., belonging to the province of Cheh-kiang . It lies N.W. and S.E., and has a circumference of 51 m., the extreme length being 20, the extreme breadth 1o, and the minimum breadth 6 m . The island' is beautifully diversified with hill and dale, and well watered with numerous small streams, of which the most considerable is the Tungkiang, falling into the harbour of Tinghai . Most of the surface is capable of cultivation, and nineteen-twentieths of the inhabitants are engaged in agriculture . Wherever it is possible to rear rice every other product is neglected; yet the quantity produced is not sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants . Millet, wheat, sweet potatoes, yams and tares are also grown . The tea plant' is found almost everywhere, and the cotton plant is largely cultivated near the sea . The capital, Tinghai, stands about half a mile from the southern shore, and is surrounded by a wall nearly 3 M. in circuit . The ditch outside the wall is interrupted on the N.W. side by a spur from a neighbouring hill, which projects into the town, and forms an easy access to an attacking force . The town is traversed by canals, and the harbour, which has from 4 to 8 fathoms water, is land-locked by several islands . Temple (or Joss-house) Hill, which commands the town and harbour close to the beach, is 122 ft. high .

The

population of the entire island is estimated at 250,000, of which the capital contains about 40,000 . Chusan has but few manufactures; the chief are coarse cotton stuffs and agricultural implements . There are salt works on the coast; and the fisheries employ a number of the inhabitants . In Tinghai a considerable businese is carried on in carving and varnishing, and its silver ware., are in high repute . The principal exports are fish, coarse black tea, cotton, vegetable tallow, sweet potatoes, and some wheat . Chusan was occupied by the Japanese during the Ming dynasty, and served as an important commercial entrepot . It was taken by the British forces in 184o and 1841, and retained till 1846 as a guarantee for the fulfilment of the stipulations of the treaty . It was also occupied by the British in 186o .