It is possible that
Marco may have mistaken one or other of these measures for miles;
either of which suppositions would reduce the bounds of Quinsai to
some decent moderation, being thirty-four miles for the greater, and
twenty-seven miles for the smaller li, yet a large city on even the
latter substitution. Koan-sing, which may likewise be written Quan-
sing, all Chinese names in alphabetical characters, being quite of
arbitrary orthography, is the only place which can be supposed the
same with Quinsai. But similarity of sounds is a very uncertain guide.
From other circumstances in the text, the modern Kua-hing may have
once been Quinsay. - E.
[2] Calculating by Li, this extent will be reduced to eleven or thirteen
miles. - E.
[3] By the same reduction, these squares will be reduced to half a quarter
of a mile in the sides. - E.
[4] Probably a mistaken translation or transcription for melons, pumpkins,
or gourds. - E.
[5] This amounts to more than one sixth of an ounce daily for a population
of a million, including infants. A thing utterly incredible, and which
must arise from some corruption of the text.
