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numbers of smaller ports and harbours of refuge which can only be discovered by making an accurate survey of the whole coast.
An inspection of any native map shows that the greater proportion of the surface of the four main islands of which Japan is composed is covered with hills, which rise in many places to mountains of considerable height. The most extensive plains are those of the Kantô, of Echigo and the north of Ôshiu. The provinces of Mikawa, Mino and Owari, also, are very flat. Half-way between Yedo and Kiôto lies the table-land of Shinano, elevated at least 2,500 feet above the level of the sea, and surrounded and intersected by lofty ranges of mountains, of which those on the boundary of Hida are certainly the highest. From the eastern edge of this province there is a sudden drop of 1,800 feet on to the Yedo plain, while on the north the ground slopes gradually away down to the province of Echigo. Another lofty range divides the former provinces of Mutsu and Déwa running from Aidzu directly north as far as Tsugaru. The province of Kai is almost surrounded by mountains, amongst which the Yatsugataké, or Eight Peaks, Komagataké and Jisôgataké are the most conspicuous.
The list of mountains which are considered the most worthy of notice by the Japanese naturally begins with Fujisan, mispronounced Fusiyama by Europeans. Next come Gassan in Uzen, Mitaké in Shinano, the Nikkô range in Shimotsuké, Ô-miné in Yamato, Hakusan in Kaga, Tatéyama in Etchiu, Kirishima yama in Hiuga, Asosan in Higo, Tsukuba san in Hitachi, Onsen-ga-také in Hizen, Asamayama in Shinano, Chôkaizan in Ugo and Iwaki in Michinoku. There are several active volcanos in Japan, of which Asama yama and Asosan are the best known to foreigners. It is a curious fact that the Japanese, nevertheless, possess no word for volcano.
Owing to the comparative narrowness of the main island of Japan and the small size of the other three, none of the numerous rivers are of great length. The longest
