WESTERN CHINA 3 



areas there are subsidiary ranges of considerable altitude 

 dipping in various directions and connected up with spurs to 

 form a heterogeneous and complex mountain system. The 

 outstanding feature of the whole region west of 112th parallel 

 of longitude is the entire absence of plain or plateau, or any- 

 thing in the nature of flat, level country, with the solitary 

 exception of the area forming the Chengtu Plain. Of this we 

 shall speak in due course. East of the 112th parallel the 

 Yangtsze River flows through a flat, alluvial plain in which 

 isolated, or more or less connected, mountain ranges and spurs 

 occur, but with this region we are not in this work concerned. 



The most important region comprised within the mountain 

 systems above described and west of the 112th parallel is that 

 termed by Richthofen the " Red Basin of Szechuan." This 

 region includes the whole of Szechuan east of the Min (Fu) 

 River to near the Hupeh boundary. It is a region of vast 

 agricultural wealth, with a magnificent river system, teeming 

 with large cities, towns, and villages, and supporting an enor- 

 mous population. With the solitary exception of cotton, which 

 is imported from the coast, it is self-contained, with a surplus 

 of produce to spare for export. Salt is produced in unlimited 

 quantities in very many districts ; coal, iron, and other 

 minerals of economic importance abound. In short, the 

 " Red Basin " is one of the richest and fairest regions in the 

 Chinese Empire. 



The whole of Western China, with which this work is con- 

 cerned, lies within the Yangtsze River basin. According to the 

 geographical information at present available, the Yangtsze has 

 its source almost due north of Calcutta, in latitude about 35° N., 

 on the south-east edge of the Central Asian steppes. Its exact 

 length is unknown, but it is estimated to exceed 3000 miles. 

 From its source it pursues a tortuous course, nearly due south, 

 through wild and partially unknown country for 1000 miles. 

 Then suddenly turning eastward it flows right through the 

 heart of China for some 2000 miles, finally reaching the sea 

 immediately to the north of Shanghai. 



From its mouth to Ichang, 1000 miles, it is navigable for 

 steamers at all seasons of the year, though in winter difficulties 

 in the way of shoals and sand-bars are encountered. The 



