30 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



and there we caught an occcisional ghmpse of the white-tailed 

 Paradise Fly-catcher [Tchitrea incei). Pheasants were calling, 

 and likewise the English Cuckoo. 



Around Niu Ping (Cow-flat), which was our destination 

 for the day, much rice is cultivated, and the farmers were 

 busy transplanting the tiny rice-plants. The whole country 

 is finely terraced and is backed by limestone cliffs of Cambrian- 

 Ordovician Age. Near our destination we passed a fine Ginkgo 

 tree showing curious root-like protuberances on the branches. 

 In rocky places by the wayside, and especially in the walls of 

 the terraced fields, Rehmannia angulata abounds. Plants i| 

 to 2 feet high carry six to a dozen large, rosy-pink, foxglove- 

 like flowers. The local name is " Feng-tang Hwa " (Honey- 

 bee Flower). 



" Cow-flat " is a tiny place of about a dozen houses. Our 

 quarters were cramped but comfortable, and the people very 

 nice. There is a road from this hamlet to Nanto, distant 

 30 li. When I first visited this place in 1901 I was an object 

 of great curiosity from the moment of my arrival to the time 

 of departure. I have been here several times since and am 

 now treated as an old-time acquaintance. 



It was quite cool during the night, and a blanket was 

 required. At Ichang the very thought of a blanket was 

 enough to bring forth perspiration ! We left about 6 a.m., and 

 after ascending and descending a series of lateral spurs finally 

 reached the small river which enters the Yangtsze at Nanto. 

 After ascending this river for a few miles we commenced a 

 steep ascent. Now by an easy and then by a heavy grade the 

 road winds in and out among the mountains, and we did not 

 reach our halting-place for the night until 6.30 p.m. The last 

 coolie arrived an hour later. The length of the whole j ourney 

 is supposed to be only 60 li, but we all agreed that it is a good 70. 

 Whatever the distance, it is certainly a hard day's travel. 



The mountain sides are very steep, with razor-like ridges. 

 Terraced cultivation is everywhere carried out, rice is cul- 

 tivated in the bottom-lands and maize on the slopes, with 

 occasional patches of Irish potato. Where it is too steep, or 

 for other reasons unsuitable for cultivation, the mountain-sides 

 are covered with shrubs and trees, chiefly scrub Oak and the 



