CHAPTER V 

 FOREST AND CRAG 



Across the Hupeh-Szechuan Frontier 



ON leaving Wen-tsao a sharp descent for a couple of 

 hours brought us to the upper waters of the Hsingshan 

 River, which we left several days ago. Crossing this 

 stream by a covered bridge we reached the hamlet of Li-erh-kou. 

 Around this hamlet trees of the Hardy Rubber {Eucommia) and 

 Magnolia officinalis (Hou-p'o) are cultivated for their bark. A 

 stead}^ ascent from Li-erh-kou through occasional woods of Oak 

 and Birch, interrupted by areas where people were busy plough- 

 ing the fields and sowingmaize, brought us to the hamlet of Chin- 

 tien-po,wherewe lunched. Nearthis place is a fine newMeliosma 

 (M. Beaniana), a tree 60 feet high. It was leafless, but one mass 

 of creamy- white flowers borne in pendulous panicles. Near by 

 this tree I discovered one small specimen of the " Judas tree " 

 {Cercis racemosa). Prior to this discovery I knew of only two 

 trees some fifteen days' journey south-west of Ichang. This new 

 tree was about 25 feet high, with a stem half decayed through 

 at the base, and a mop-like head. In spite of its partial decay 

 the tree appeared in vigorous health, and was one mass of 

 silvery-rose coloured flowers, borne in short racemes. The 

 leaves of this species are hairy below. Varnish and Walnut 

 trees occur in abundance, and we met several coolies laden 

 with cakes of fat, expressed from the fruits of the Varnish 

 tree {Rhus verniciflua). The double-flowered form of Spircea 

 prunifoUa is commonly planted on graves, and the bushes were 

 wreathed in flowers. 



Soon after leaving Chin-tien-po we commenced a precipitous 

 ascent, and after climbing for several miles reached the neck of 

 a ridge where Viburnum rhytidophyllum luxuriates. From this 



