in geography, denotes a small district or country constituting a distinct government: such are the cantons of Switzerland.

Quang-tang, a province of the empire of China in Asia. It is bounded on the north by Kyang-fu; on the north-east, by Fokeyn; on the west, by Quang-fu and the kingdom of Tonquin; and the rest is washed by Nan-hay, or the sea of the south. This province is reckoned the most considerable in China, not only on account of its extent, but also because of its vast commerce, opulence, advantageous situation, and great number of its ports. Its inhabitants are computed to amount to 383,360 families, or 1,968,029 men. The soil is so fertile, that it produces two crops of corn yearly; and in the like plenty all sorts of grain, fruits, and vegetables, with every thing that can contribute to the pleasures of life. The climate is warm, but clear; and the people are stout and healthy. The commodities of this province are of the most valuable kind; such as diamonds, and precious stones of all sorts; pearls, gold, silver, and other metals, curiously wrought for various uses. Silks, cottons, and linens of all kinds, are also manufactured and exported in great quantities, as well as china-ware and japan-work; in which such multitudes are employed, that notwithstanding the fertility of the province, it doth not produce a sufficient quantity of provisions for its inhabitants, but is assisted by some of the neighbouring ones. They use here the same way of hatching eggs in ovens and dunghills that they do in Egypt. The eggs of ducks, which are in great plenty, are particularly used in this manner: they have also a method of preserving them fresh all the year round by covering them with a sort of paste. We are told of a curious singularity of the ducks and chickens so hatched; viz. that the owners carry them in boats to the sea-side, at low water, where they feed on such insects as they can find; but though the droves are thus naturally intermixed, no sooner does the owner strike on a basin, as a signal to return, than each drove returns to its own boat, as pigeons do to their holes. The governor or viceroy of Canton is also governor of Quang-fu; for which reason he commonly resides at Chau-king, to communicate his orders to both provinces with the greater facility. He keeps a great number of soldiers, to suppress highwaymen and pirates, which are very troublesome. For the same end there are a great number of fortresses both on the sea-coasts and inland, most of them like large cities, very strong, and well garrisoned, besides inferior ones dispersed in proper places. This province is divided into ten capital jurisdictions; Canton or Quang-chew the chief, Shauchew, Nan-yong, Wheechew, Chau-chew, Chau-king, Kau-chew, Lyen-chew, Lwy-chew, and Kyun-chew; which last is the capital of the island of Haynau.

large, populous, and wealthy maritime city of China, capital of the province of that name. It is seated on the mouth of the river Ta-bo or great river, which is here very wide and spacious, and forms the bay called Humen, or tyger's gate, though it hath nothing terrible in it except a few forts built to keep off the pirates. The city is very large; being reckoned, with its suburbs, upwards of 20 miles in compass. It may be properly said to consist of three cities, each of them surrounded with strong and lofty walls, yet so as to have a communication with each other by stately gates, which are only shut up at night. The streets are long and straight, paved with flag-stones, and adorned with several triumphal arches. There are also bazars or covered market-places full of shops. The houses are only a ground-floor built with earth, and covered with tiles; however, the shops give it a very neat look. The better sort of people are carried about in chairs; but the common people walk bare-footed and bare-headed; and their goods are carried by porters, for they have no wagons. At the end of every street is a barrier which is shut in the evening, as well as the gates of the city, so that people are obliged to be at home early.

The number of inhabitants is computed at 1,000,000.

E. Long. 112. 27. N. Lat. 25. 20.