FOREST AND CRAG 57 



patches of cultivation occur, but the country generally is very 

 sparsely peopled. Populus lasiocarpa is abundant, and large 

 branches are commonly driven in the ground to make fences ; 

 these branches take root and form groves. A magnificent tree 

 of Ailanthus Vilmoriniana, 150 feet tall and 20 feet in girth, 

 was passed, and I was astounded at the huge size of this specimen. 

 Tangled masses of AcUnidia chinensis and various kinds of wild 

 roses were everywhere abundant, filling the air with soft 

 fragrance. Leaving this delightful mountain stream we made 

 a steep ascent of 900 feet and then, to our great surprise, 

 entered a broad level valley. This valley was evidently in 

 earlier times a mountain lake — to-day the margins are cultivated 

 and the centre is a marsh. The whole district is known as 

 Chu-ku-ping or Ta-chu-hu, — the latter name having reference 

 to its former condition as a lake. A flat area of this character 

 is unique in these regions, as far as my knowledge goes. Several 

 roads cross this flat and we took the one for Taning Hsien. 

 By the wayside strawberries, white and red, luxuriate and were 

 very good eating. Quite a number of horses and cattle were 

 grazing in this valley, and the country could support many more. 



After meandering some 15 li over the easiest of roads we 

 made a very steep and fatiguing ascent to alt. 7300 feet, and 

 crossed over into the province of Szechuan. From the neck of 

 the divide, looking away E.S.E., we obtained a good view of 

 the Sheng-neng-chia and the main and subsidiary ranges and 

 peaks — nothing but mountains on every side save the tiny 

 valley at our feet which we had just crossed. In the ascent we 

 passed many shrubs in full flower ; particularly striking were 

 the various kinds of Viburnum, Deutzia, Abelia, and Cornus. 

 A precipitous descent through a ravine and we reached the 

 hostel at Hwa-kuo-ling, alt. 6350 feet, where plantations of 

 Rhubarb were common and several other medicinal plants 

 cultivated. 



The road we were following is called the " Great salt road," 

 but we only met four men carrying salt in the day's march. 

 Indeed, on the whole journey we encountered practically no 

 traffic. This wild mountainous country supports only a very 

 sparse population and foreign trade has no chance hereabouts. 

 Our great difficulty was in securing enough food for the men. 



