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

CHINA, MONGOLIA, AND JAPAN. 65
rivers Yuen and Tsz, all in Hunan, and in Nganhwui the valley of the Hwai, and
the coal basin of Siichau in Kiangsuh.
This trough is limited on the east by what would seem to be a band of parallel
ridges extending from the province of Kwangsi to Kiangsuh. We have seen the
Yangtse crossing one of these between Hankau and Kiukiang, while another,
broken through by the Poyang lake, shuts in the valley of the Yangtse on the east.
The river flows between these two from the Poyang to beyond Nanking.
Numerous indications of the limestone as stalactitic caves, fossil brachiopods,
etc., extend in a southwest direction through Kiangsi and Hunan into Kwangsi,
while in the same belt are many evidences of the Coal measures.
That the space between these ridges is occupied by coal basins in part of Kiangsi
and Nganhwui is certain, and here belong also the coal basins of southeastern
Hunan. I have, therefore, represented them as independent throughout. In the
easternmost of these, east of the Poyang lake, are the granite hills of Kingteh,
which furnish the celebrated kaolin1 for fine porcelain, while Abel mentions granite
and micaceous schists as occurring in the high hills west of the lake in the western
ridge.
The data for the next trough to the east are the existence of what seem to be
shales and sandstones of the Coal measures on the Kan river from Nanchang F. to
the Meiling pass, and the coal fields of Kwangsin F. (Kiangsi), of Kichau F. and
Chuchau F. (Chehkiang), of Ningkwo F. (Nganhwui), in every hien of which there
is coal, and of Huchau F. (Chehkiang).
We come now to the coast axis of elevation marked by the range of mountains
that separate Nganhwui and Kiangsi from Chehkiang and Fuhkien.
We know that at the Meiling it.is of granite flanked with limestone; the fact
that Mr. Fortune found the peaks near the headwaters of the Min river to be
granitic, and in the northeast the granitic islands of Chusan, all indicate a granite
range, while the table furnishes numerous evidences of the presence, on both sides,
of the great limestone formation.
There are even fewer data for understanding the structure of the eastern and
southern provinces than for almost any other part of the empire. Scattered indications of limestone and coal, and the courses of some of the rivers have prompted
me to insert another axis of elevation, nearer the coast and stretching from Hongkong to Wanchau F. in Chehkiang. Such an axis is apparent in the granite2
islands that stretch away toward Hainan, and to it this island seems to belong.
The indications of the Coal measures along the coast are the coal fields of
Hinghwa F. and Nganki H.3 (Tsiuenchau F.).
The prolongation of the coast axis of elevation cuts the southern and most mountainous parts of Corea, and coincides nearly with the granite axis of Kamschatka.
I have thus far in this sketch made no mention of any other system of elevation
than the N. E. S.AY.; but, as we have seen in a former chapter, another system, the
1 This word is said to be derived fron kao, high, and ling, ridge.
2 Chin. Repository.
3 This I take to be the Anko mentioned in the Chin. Rep. as producing anthracite.
9 May, 1866.