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ANAM. 327
it in safety. In the opposite monsoon, it is almost
inaccessible. "In regard to harbours, Cochin China
is singularly fortunate. Within the six degrees and a
half of latitude which intervene between Cape St.
James and the Bay of Turon, there are no fewer than
nine of the finest harbours in the world, accessible
with every wind, safe to approach, and affording the
most complete protection." *
There is no shore which suffers more perceptible
encroachments from the sea, than that of Cochin
China. M. Poivre found that, between the years 1744
and 1749, it had gained 190 feet.f A range of mountains
stretches down in a line parallel with the coast.
The rocks in the southern provinces are unstratified
masses, generally granite, and sometimes with perpendicular
fissures. Cape St. James, which is the first
land made on coming from the south, (lat. 10 16' 41",
N., long. 107 45' E.J) is the extremity of a ridge of
hills about 300 feet in height, forming the left bank
of the Sai-gon river. It is seen at a great distance.
The land on the opposite side of the river is extremely
low, || and an extensive sand-bank lies before it,
stretching for several miles. A few miles within this
point is a fine, spacious, semi-circular bay, called the
Bay of Cocoa-nuts. The rocks are granite and syenite,
intersected with small veins of rich iron ore. Into
this bay, the Gagn-jai, the Cai-mep, and other small
Asiat. Jour. vol. xix. p. 122.
t The general appearance of the coast of Tongkin indicates a
retrogression of the sea.
t White, p. 58. M. Dyot made it 10 15' 48" N. lat. and 107
5' 51" E. long.
A mud ||
flat commences from Cambodia Point, and gradually
increases in breadth till it terminates at the mouth of the Donnai
river, where it extends into the sea about four leagues.
Flnlayson, p. 295.