178 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



at right angles to the main body. The curious peaked island called the "Sugar Loaf," off the 

 point of this promontory, was in view before us. The western slope of the island at this point 

 is covered almost entirely with forests, the cultivation being confined to the bottoms of valleys 

 and ravines opening upon the sea. 



The path led across the top of a narrow ledge about a yard wide, with chasms more than a 

 hundred feet deep on each side, and then dropped to the bottom of the glen, where we found a 

 stream of deliciously cool and sweet water. We all drank to excess, and then climbed a little 

 ridge beyond, where the air blew fresh, and sat down to await the rest of the party. Mr. 

 Jones found granite of fine quality in the ravine, and we afterwards met with another broad 

 stratum in a rocky gateway further below. Our only path made for a village on the shore, 

 whither we repaired for our mid-day halt. The houses were lined with luxuriant bananas, in 

 blossom, and the lanes between them hedged with the glossy inocarpus, forming walls of foliage 

 twenty feet in height, outside of which were neat wicker fences of split bamboo. Near the 

 village were three structures raised upon timber frames, and covered with thatched roofs 



Valley and Rice Houses. 



They appeared to he storehouses, elevated in this manner to preserve the grain from the 

 moisture of the earth. Beneath them were wooden platforms, oifering us shade and convenience 

 for our halt. The people brought us sweet potatoes, a small pan of salt fish, and a pumpkin, 

 which was all they could supjily. Even these w*e refused us until the arrival of the Pe-ching^ 

 to whose authority all the others deferred. The rapidity of our march had left him in the rear, 



