212 ME. FOKTUNE'S VISIT TO CHINA, 



when they find a few deaths in plant-cases after a voyage of 

 Jifteen thousand miles, know little of the dangers of the ocean. 



During our stay to refit in the bays of Chimoo and Chinchew, 

 I availed myself of the opportunity of exploring the adjacent 

 countr}\ It was on these hills that I found the pretty Abelia 

 rupestris, Campanula grandiflora, and Statice Fortuni, which 

 are now in the garden of the Society at Chiswick. The natives 

 in this part of the country are a lawless and independent race, 

 who care nothing for the Government, and who set the laws of 

 the empire at defiance. I and my servant were sometimes placed 

 in most critical situations amongst them, where a great deal of 

 tact and determination were necessary to get us safely out of 

 their hands. 



Our little schooner being refitted, we again hove up our 

 anchor, and stood out to sea. This time the winds favoured us, 

 and in ten days we were safely moored in the beautiful Bay of 

 Chusan. As we approached the islands of the Chusan Archi- 

 pelago, I was much gratified with the great change in the aspect 

 of the country. There was a freshness and luxuriance about the 

 vegetation entirely diflferent from what I had seen before. Fewer 

 rocks were seen protruding through the ground, and many of 

 the hills were cultivated nearly to their summits, which at once 

 proved the superior nature of the soil. The first glance at the 

 vegetation convinced me that it was very different from what I 

 had seen in the south, and that the north of China must be the 

 chief scene of my future labours in the country. 



I now delivered my letters of introduction to Major-General 

 Sir James Schoedde, the oflficer in command, who very kindly 

 procured me quarters in a Chinese house inside the city of 

 Tinghae, to which I removed from the ship, and immediately 

 commenced operations. I was now fortunate enough in getting 

 acquainted with Dr. Maxwell of the Madras army, who was 

 stationed there at the time. This gentleman, who was an ardent 

 lover of botanical pursuits, had been most indefatigable in his 

 researches, and was consequently able to give me a great deal of 

 valuable information. 



I was now continually travelling amongst the hills, not only 

 of Chusan and the adjacent islands, but frequently on the main 

 land, where I went without being molested in any way. The 

 dispositions of the people seemed to have changed with the aspect 

 of their country. Their features were more European ; they 

 seemed perfectly harmless, appearing to bear us no ill-will, and 

 frequently were even kind, which is saying a.great deal for the 

 Chinese, unless they have some selfish motive for such conduct. 



After getting together a considerable number of plants and 

 seeds, an opportunity offered of visiting Shanghae. That port 



