TAI-WA:, a Chinese island, known in Europe by the name of Formosa, or Hermosa, and called by the aborigines Pekan. It lies between 21' 58' and 25' 15' N. lat., I20' and 122' E. long., and extends from south-by-west to north-by-east about 240 miles. At its most southern point it is only about 4 miles wide, but at 23' N. lat. it is 60 miles wide, and at 21' N. lat. nearly 100 miles wide. Its northern portion decreases slowly in width, and near its northern extre mity it is still 60 miles wide. The area is about 14,000 square miles; the population is about two millions Chinese, besides the native inhabitants, whose numbers aro unknown. The island is separated from the mainland of China by the channel of Fokian, which at its narrowest part, opposite the north-western point of TaI-wan, is only about 80 miles across. In the widest part of the channel are the Penh°, or Pescadores, Islands. The southern extremity of Tal-wan is divided from the Basheo Islands by the channel of Formosa, which is nearly 80 miles wide, and like the Fokian Channel has very irregular soundings.
The broad promontory which terminates the island on the south, and forma the south-east and south-west cape, is a low flat, but at the distance of about 2 miles the country suddenly rises into moun tains, called Ta Shan, which continue to run in an unbroken chain northward nearly through the middle of the Island to its northern extremity, terminating with high cliffs at the north-east cape. The Ta Shan Mountains are covered nearly the whole year with snow. They contain several volcanoes, end are supposed to attain an eleva tion of about 12,000 feet above the sea. The declivities are covered with fine trees and pasture-grounds, and thus the island when seen from the sea, presents a very pleasing appearance, whenco it was called Hermosa ('beautiful') by the Spaularda, who first saw it. Besides the active volcanoes there are In this range some other moan tempi which exhibit traces of former volcanic action. Sulphur con stitutes an important article of export.
The mountains have a steep on both sides, but on tho west sidel they terminate at a considerable distance from the sea, so as to leave a wide undulating tract between them and the shore. The adjoining sea is full of sand-banks and shoals, and can only be approached be a few places by vessels drawing more than 8 feet of water. On the east of the Ta-shan range the mountains teem to occupy nearly the whole apace between the crest of the range and the sea, and high racks line the shore. A strong current runs from south
to north along the east coast of the island, which is almost unknown, as vessels do not visit it.
Rivers are numerous on the west side. They descend from the mountains in rapids and cataracts, and are turned to advantage to irrigate the land. They generally feria bars at their mouths, over which only small vessels can pass. There are numerous islands how ever along the shore, between which junks of 200 tons find good anchorage. Some of the rivers however are said to be navigable for a considerable distance inland, especially tho Tan-shuy-khy which falls into Tan-ahuy-kiang Bay, in the narrowest part of the channel of Fokian.
At the change of the monsoons the most violent gales oome oar soddenly, and are accompanied by typhoons, whirlwinds, and water spouts. In the vicinity of the island the north-eastern monsoon generally lasts nine months, as it continues to blow to the begiuuing of June. In other respects the climate of the island is very temperate. Earthquakes are freouent and sometimes very violent In 1732 time whole lower portion of the island was laid waste, and the sea inun dated the country to the base of the mountains for twelve hours.
The soil of the lower tracts and the more gentle slopes of the mountains is very fertile, and produces abundance of corn, which is exported to the harbours of Fokian. The chief products are rice, wheat, millet, maize, vegetables, truffles, sugar, oranges, pine-apples, guavas, oncosenuta, areea-nuts, eastern frtiits; also peaches, apricots, figs, grapes, pomegranates, and cheetnets: Melons aro also much grown. Tea is cultivated. The bloesoms of the wild jasmine are dried and exported to China, whore they are used to give a scent to the tea. Other articles of export are oamphor, pepper, aloes, and timber. Timber abounds in the large forests in the northern districts of the island. It is also stated that coffee, cotton, and silk are produced to a small amount The domeatio animals are cattle, buffaloes, horses, ussea, and goats, but sheep and hogs are rare. The horses are small It is said that on the eastern portion of the island there are tigere, leopards, and wolves. On the western side, wild hogs, deer, monkeys, pheasants, and game are very eh:indent. Salt is largely exported.