84 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



Tunghsiang Hsien at 3 o'clock. The distance is 140 li by water, 

 90 li by land. Numerous rapids obstruct the stream, but 

 since the volume of water is comparatively small they are not 

 dangerous. The river is bounded by sandstone cliffs, often 

 steep and covered with Pine, Cypress, and mixed shrubby 

 vegetation. Chaitzu are common, and here and there we 

 passed villages. Cultivation is general, and the crops were 

 beginning to show signs of suffering from drought. Pulse in 

 variety is abundantly cultivated, together with rice and other 

 favourite articles of food. Ordinarily the whole region is one 

 of plenty and prosperity. 



It was a pleasant change dropping swiftly down this beauti- 

 ful river, and we all enjoyed the journey. On reaching Tung- 

 hsiang Hsien a thunderstorm broke and the rain cooled the air 

 delightfully. 



We entered the city of Tunghsiang, alt. 1400 feet, through 

 the east gate, and found accommodation in a quiet and 

 moderately clean inn. The city, though not large, seemed a 

 busy place. Formerly it boasted a large traffic in opium, and 

 its general trade was then very considerable. It nestles among 

 low hills on the right bank of the river, and is faced on the 

 opposite bank by steeper and higher mountains. Sandstone 

 cliffs and bluffs abound, and in some respects the whole scene 

 reminded me of the country around Kiating Fu. 



Our inquiries into the matter of currency disclosed the fact 

 that Szechuan dollars are accepted here, but lo-cash pieces 

 were still useless. The Roman Catholic and China Inland 

 Mission have estabhshed outstations here. An Irish missionary 

 belonging to the latter was staying here at the time of my visit, 

 and I enjoyed for an hour or so the pleasure of his company. 

 It was pleasant to hear my own tongue spoken again. Not 

 since leaving Ichang, 35 days before, had I encountered a 

 single foreigner. 



