Geological researches in China, Mongolia, and Japan, during the years 1862-1865.

CHINA, MONGOLIA, AND JAPAN. 45
to effect a drainage; an object that was not accomplished until ten years afterward
under the great Yu, by widening the channel of the river between Shansi and
Shensi, especially in the gorges of Lungmun, Hukau, and Shanmun.
Mailla, one of the Jesuit missionaries employed in preparing the map of the empire, visited these localities, and relates that he saw with astonishment the remains
of this gigantic enterprise.
However this may be, whether the works of Yu belong to the region of History
or of Allegory, we have here two traditions, the first pointing to a convulsion causing a great flood, and perhaps also forming the channel between Shansi and Shensi;
while the second evidently refers to an immense overflow of waters coming from the
upper course of the Yellow river, and perhaps facilitated by obstructions in the
narrow channel.
A gentleman, well versed in Chinese literature, informed me that, according to
native authorities, the valley of the Yang Ho, between Chatau and Kiming, the
easternmost of the ancient lake-basins, was once occupied by a lake which was
drained, finally, by the Yang Ho gorge. Considering this, and the accounts of the
Shuking, it is not, I think, impossible, that these traditions refer to the last events
in the history of the lake period, and that within the memory of the Chinese people,
a part at least of this great body of fresh water was still in existence, if, indeed, the
formation of the channel between Shansi and Shensi, on which the retreat of the
main body depended, does not also fall within this limit.