YANG-TZE-KIA'NG, " son of the great river" or "sea," the principal river of Asia, the " girdle of China," connecting together all the central provinces of that empire, situ ated between Tibet and Kokonor on the w. and the Pacific ocean on the east. Its entire length through all its numerous windings, under its various names, can hardly be less, but rather more than 3,000 miles. If regard be had to its tributaries and to the cities to which its waters eve access, to the richness of the soil, and the variety of the products along its banks. nl.d above all to the vast population scattered far and wide over the val leys, and plains, Liid Lill-sides drained by it and its confluents, the has no equal on the globe. It takes its rise in the same elevated regions of central Asia which give birth to the Brabmaputra, iNtakiang or Mekong, Salween, and Hwang-ho or Yellow river. Its course at first is southward, winding its way through an apparently level country, and bearing the name _Mara Usezt, or Tortuous Waters. The magnitude of the stream must be considerable even in these upper regions, for it was here, beyond the Baycn Khara mountains, that the missionary traveler, Di. Hue, in the winter of 1845, saw a herd of wild oxen that had perished, having got frozen up in the ice while attempt ing to cross the river. these upper regions, after traversing the wide territory of Kokonor, the Tortuous Waters run southward, and enter the province of Yun-nan at about 28° n. let. The river then flows in a south-east direction through this province, and at about 26° n. lat. and 103° e. long., it turns north, forming part of the boundary between the provinces of Yun-nan and Sze-chuen. After entering the latter province, it flows in a n.e. direction under the name of Kin-sha-kiang (river of golden sands), receiving at this part of its course many tributaries. On the s., the tributaries of the provinces of Yun-nan and Kwei-chow are numerous, but not large; the principal one, the Oo or Woo, flows through the latter. On the n. the tributaries are numerous and large, the principal being the Ya-loong, the Min or n., and the Kia-ling, which force their way through narrow passes, rolling over lofty precipices, and carrying with them large Masses of ice. Two of these rivers are each more than 1000 m. in length. It
enters the province of Hu-pe at about 110° e. long., shortly before which it receives the name of Ta-kiang (Great river). The Great river next runs east-by-north through the entire length of the province of Hu-pe, receiving in its progress the waters of many lakes and rivers, the principal being the Han-kiang, from which the most illustrious dynasty takes its name, which in turn gave to Chinamen the name of which they are most proud —sons of Han. The two provinces Hu-pe and Hu-nan—i.e., north of the lakes" and " south of the lakes"—contribute, by natural or artificial channels, to augment the main stream. One of these lakes, the Tung-ting-hu, is the largest hi China, having an area of 300 sq, miles. After receiving the waters of these lakes, the river proceeds in a north eastern course through the province of Ngan-hwui, in which part are situated the cities forming the great mart Han-kow. Skirting the n. of the province of Keang-se, it receives the waters of the Po-yang lake, which receives nearly the whole of the waters of the province of Keang-se, and, like the Tung-ting-hu, pours all its contents into the Great river. Thence moving in a n.c. direction, it becomes broader and deeper as it trav erses the province of Ngan-hwui, receiving tributaries from both banks. Entering Keaiag-su, and passing Nankin, it travels southward, intersecting the "Transport or Yun-he--i.e., the Grand canal. Through the whole of this province it receives tribu taries, helping to swell the flood of waters, till in one broad expanse, several miles in extent from n. to s., they disembogue into the Yellow sea. To name the cities on the banks and tributaries of this rival of the Mississippi, would be to enumerate a large por tion of the cities of the empire. It is navigable by ships of the largest class to 000 m. from its mouth, and for smaller vessels to upward of 1500 miles. There is a large steam traffic on it up to Han-kow, nearly 700 m. from its mouth. By the treaty of Tien-tsin, the Yang-tze-kiang was opened to foreign commerce as far Han-kow; and speedily Eng lish and American steamers were found plying between Shang-hae and Han-kow.—Dr. Bridgman in the North China Herald.