JESSO, a large island of Asia, the situation, extent, and description of which have presented the most embarrassing problems to modern geographers. Some have supposed it to be a continent little inferior to Europe in dimensions; others reduce it to an inconsiderable island ; and it has also been conceived to be a portion or eastern Asia, very nearly united to the western shores of America. Later observations, however, combined with those of older date, forgotten and neglected, have dispelled these obscurities, and satisfactory illustrations can now be given of this par ticular portion of the globe. The figure of Jesso ap proaches to that of an irregular triangle, extending about SOO miles in length from north to south, and little less in extreme breadth. It stretches from Cape Nadcshda, in 41° 25' 10", north latitude, to Cape Ilomanzoff, in latitude 25' 50'', the most southern and northern points; and the centre of the island lies in about 217° of east longitude. This island is washed on the west by the Gulf of Tartary ; on the cast by the North Pacific Ocean ; it is divided from Japan by the straits of Sangar, which are of dangerous and intricate navigation ; and separated from the island or pe ninsula of Saghdlin on the north by l'erouse's Channel. Its whole circumference is indented by deep bays and inlets, in many places forming secure harbours, by the numerous capes and promonteeies pi ojecting around them. One of those best known to Europeans is Volcano Bay, towards the south-east secure and spacious, and containing Ender ma harbour, which is completely sheltered by the land. 1 wo lakes are said to be in the centre of the island, each the source of a river flowing into the sea ; hut none of the estuaries have been surveyed by recent navigators. The general aspect of Jesso is wild and mountainous ; a barren and rugged chain traverses it trom north to south, parallel to which it is conjectured that another ranges at some dis tance. Several of the mountains exhibit active volcanoes, and sonic of them are extinct volcanoes ; three of the for mer, separated by short intervals, stand on the shore of Volcano Bay. The mineral and vegetable productions are imperfectly described. Gold and silver mints arc re ported to have been wrought in the eastern parts of the island by the Japanese during the seventeenth century ; but they seem to be now abandoned. Neither of these metals, nor precious stones, are valued by the inhabitants. The
soil is of unequal quality, and much of the surface is unculti vated. Perhaps also the climate is unfavourable for agri culture.
It is remarked, that the northern extremity of Jesso seems to possess many advantages over the southern. Nevertheless, about Endermo harbour the soil is good, and the produce luxuriant. Wild grapes are abundant. The woods contain elm, oak, ash, and all the common trees of England; while the gardens exhibit the ordinary escu lent plants. Millet and other grain are plentiful ; but the natives are very little addicted to agriculture, as they sub sist principally on wild fruits or roots, as the saranna, and by hunting and fishing, although the houses of the Japanese are environed by gardens and plantations. Fish is found its great variety in the surrounding seas. A particular species of anchovies, called nising, of delicious flavour, ap pears in vast shoals on the surface, di iven towards the coast by whales ; and quantities of salmon are caught, either for immediate use or winter store. Whales, porpoises, and turtle, are also numerous ; but it has been affirmed that the first arc unmolested, on account of their services in pursu ing- the rising. Tripmg, or biche de mar, a kind of hobo thuria, prized in eastern repasts, is obtained by diving among the rocks, as also various other animals of the mollusca tribes, whose Mines arc not yet recognised in the works of naturalists; and many crustacea. Of birds, there are numerous aquatic species resembling those of Europe. Eagles are kept tame in cages, and supposed to be an article of food, though it is more probably on account of their feathers for arrows; two kinds of hawk, one of a yellow colour ; cross's, pigeons, and a yellow bird resembling a linnet. The quadrupeds are horses, which have perhaps been introduced within a century by the Japanese ; wolves, foxes, dogs, bears, ricer, and rabbits. Deer and hears in habit the mountains. The latter arc seen in considerable numbers among the natives, by whom they are taken young, domesticated, and then killed, and ate as dainties at a certain soason, while a portion is used as a medicine. The dogs resemble those of Kaintschatka, but arc of a smaller breed. They arc trained for draught, and harnessed to sledges in winter, which would indicate, that during a portion of the year the ground is covered with snow. These, however, it is likely, do not exhaust the list of the quadrupeds on this island.