Anon. "South Cape of Formosa, or Kan-shan." Harper's Bazar XV, No. 47 (November 1882): 744. With eleven illustrations.

Formosa, or Tai-Wan, an island off the eastern coast of China, about 210 miles long and 80 miles wide at its broadest part, is high and mountainous throughout its whole extent, the highest point being Mount Morrison, 12,850 feet high. The Chinese have long been in possession of the plain and harbors on the west and north coasts. The east coast is peopled by savage and warlike aboriginal tribes not subject at all to the Chinese, but who take every opportunity of making raids on their settlements. The aboriginal propensity for the collection of skulls is so well authenticated that little or no hope for life could have attended the misfortune of shipwreck, and in consequence of repeated acts of outrage and murder of the most savage, diabolical description toward shipwrecked crews, a treaty was concluded with Tok-e-tok, principal chief of the southern tribes, who engaged to abstain from molesting any foreigners who might be wrecked upon or who visited that part of the coast under Tok-e-tok's rule. During a visit to South Cape in February last, when the writer took the accompanying views, during a walk in the woods he met this same chief, who appeared to be a fine specimen of an aged savage, and spoke of foreigners with friendly interest.

It appears at last to have been decided to erect the long-talked-of light-house at the southern extremity of the island, and in November, 1881, the Amoy Commissioner of Customs and the Engineer-in-chief of Lights crossed over in the revenue-cutter Ling-feng, and commenced the works at South Cape, or Kan-Shan. The light tower will be of iron, and dwelling-houses for foreign and Chinese keepers massively built of brick and stone, quite capable of withstanding a siege.

Quite down to the water's edge the coast is thickly wooded with lofty trees of hard wood and dense jungles of screw pines, whilst the graceful fringe of the palm foliage is seen dotted here and there. Apes and monkeys large and small are seen chattering in the trees above one's head. The entire southern coast-line is formed of coral limestone, rude masses of which stand out in rugged bold relief.

The temporary sixth-order light is at present erected on the top of the coral point of the promontory. The revenue cruiser Ling-feng is stationed in the bay, apparently to protect the station should the aborigines give trouble, which, however, in their present passive state is not anticipated. Among the shipping community of the coasting trade this light is spoken of as a most important addition to the ten splendid lights already exhibited within the Southern or Amoy district of the Chinese Lights Service.