22 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



Dalbergia hupeana, which yields the valuable " T'an Mu," a 

 wood whitish in colour, very heavy, and exceedingly hard and 

 tough. It is almost exclusively employed in building the wheel- 

 barrows used on the Chengtu Plain ; for the handles of carpenters' 

 tools, rammers for oil-presses, blocks and pulleys used on boats, 

 and for every purpose where stress and strain obtain. This 

 tree grows tall (80 feet) but is never of any great thickness ; 

 it is widely spread in the west up to 3000 feet altitude. 



Three other members of the Pea family that yield useful 

 woods of greater or less value, are the " Huai shu " {Sophora 

 japonica, " Tsao-k'o shu" {Gleditsia sinensis), and " Yeh-ho 

 shu" [Albizzia lebbek). All three species are common, the 

 first two forming a characteristic feature of the vegetation of 

 the more arid river-valleys of the west. The wood of these trees 

 is used in general carpentry and furniture-making. 



One of the commonest trees throughout the hot, rather arid 

 river-valleys, up to 8500 feet altitude (but by no means confined 

 thereto), is Juglans regia, the Walnut (Hei-tou shu). It is 

 cultivated for its fruits, which are a valued article of food and 

 a source of oil. The wood has recently become in great demand 

 in the newly established arsenals for making rifle-stocks. The 

 supply is not equal to the demand, and much Nanmu timber is 

 used as a substitute. This latter is lighter and less serviceable 

 for this purpose than that of the Walnut. 



The best rudder-posts are made from the wood of the 

 "Huang-lien shu" [Pistacia chinensis), a large-growing tree 

 found everjrvvhere up to 5000 feet altitude. A log having a 

 natural " fork " at one end is in general use for the balance- 

 rudder on all the larger boats. The wood of the Loquat 

 (Pi-pa shu), Eriobotrya japonica, which is red-coloured, heavy, 

 and of great strength, is also employed for this purpose. The 

 young shoots of the Pistacia, known as " Huang-ni ya-tzu," are 

 cooked and eaten as a vegetable, and so also are the shoots 

 of the " Ch'un-tuen shu" {Cedrela sinensis). This last-named 

 tree furnishes a valuable timber, beautifully marked with rich 

 red bands on a yeUowish-brown ground. Foreigners call it 

 Chinese Mahogany, It is easily worked, does not warp nor 

 crack, and is esteemed for making window-sashes, door-joists, 

 and furniture. The tree grows 80 feet tall, the trunk is very 



