30 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



{Zizyphus vulgaris), is frequently cultivated, but the quality of 

 the fruit is very poor, and cannot compare in size and flavour 

 with that produced in Shantung and other parts of north-eastern 

 China. In the warmer parts the Pomegranate, " Tsze-niu " 

 {Punica Granatum), is commonly met with, but the fruit is 

 scarcely edible. In Yunnan very fair pomegranates are grown. 

 Although widely spread and naturalized in parts of China, 

 competent authorities consider the Pomegranate to have been 

 introduced there. 



Grapes, " Chia-p'u-tao," are sparingly cultivated in the 

 west, but the quahty is very inferior to those grown around 

 Peking. The only kind I have seen has white fruit. The 

 varieties commonly cultivated are all forms of Vitis vinifera, 

 which, according to Bretschneider, was introduced into China 

 from Western Asia during the second century B.C. Around 

 Kiukiang the Spiny Vitus, " P'u-tao-tzu " (F. Davidii), is 

 sometimes cultivated. This vine produces black, globose 

 grapes of good size and appearance, but the flavour is very 

 harsh. It occurs as a common wild plant in the mountains of 

 the west. 



The Walnut, " Hei-tao " {Juglans regia), is an exceedingly 

 common tree throughout the regions with which we are con- 

 cerned, ranging up to 8500 feet altitude. It is especially 

 abundant in the arid river valleys of west Szechuan, and equally 

 so in the mountains and valleys of Hupeh. The nuts vary 

 considerably in size, shape, and in the thickness of the shell. 

 The best are of large size and have very thin shells. They are 

 valued not only as a food but for their sweet-oil, which is ex- 

 pressed and used for culinary purposes. A Butternut, " Yeh 

 Hei-tao" (/. cathayensis) , is also common in the woods and 

 thickets. The kernels are eaten, but the shell is very thick 

 and difficult to crack. 



The seed of the Maidenhair tree, " Peh-k'o " [Ginkgo hiloha) , 

 after being roasted is esteemed as a dessert nut. The seed 

 of the Lotus Lily, " Lien hwa" [Nelumbium speciosum), Ground- 

 nut, " Lao-hua-tsen " {Arachis hypogcBo), are similarly valued. 

 The Water-chestnut, " Ling-chio " [Trapa natans), is abund- 

 antly cultivated and the fruit is eaten. 



In the woods and thickets many kinds of wild fruits are 



