10 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



joined by the Yalung River, an artery almost equal in volume 

 to the main stream itself. This river rises in the north-eastern 

 limits of the Thibetan highlands in the same general country as 

 the Yangtsze, but to the south-east. It flows more or less due 

 south throughout the whole course, but the region it traverses 

 is, if anything, less known than that through which the Yang- 

 tsze flows. In its upper parts it is called the Niachu, since 

 it flows through the country of the Niarung tribes, and its 

 map cognomen, " Yalung," is probably a transliteration of 

 the name Niarung. 



On its right (south) bank the Yangtsze receives many 

 streams rising in northern Yunnan and Kweichou, but none 

 equalling in importance those uniting on the left bank. How- 

 ever, all are significant factors in the distribution of mer- 

 chandise in these parts, even though geographically they are of 

 comparatively small moment. The important thing to be re- 

 membered in connection with the river-system here mentioned 

 is this — the Yangtsze River is the main artery of China in 

 general and Western China in particular, but Szechuan owes 

 its agricultural wealth and general prosperity principally to 

 the Kialing and Min Rivers with their network of navigable 

 contributary streams and canals. The rivers west of Sui Fu 

 flow through wild, mountainous, sparsely populated regions, 

 and their course is so much obstructed that practically no 

 boats ply on their waters and even ferries are scarce. 



