io6 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



dug and dikes erected. But to return to the system at Kuan 

 Hsien. The " South " River, which occupies the original bed 

 of the Min River, is divided into four principal streams almost 

 immediately opposite the Li-tiu Hill. The most easterly 

 branch, named the " Peaceful River," irrigates the districts 

 of Kuan Hsien, Pi Hsien, and Shuangliu Hsien, The next 

 branch, called the " Sheep Horse River," irrigates other parts 

 of the above-named districts, uniting with the " Peaceful 

 River," at Hsinhsin Hsien. The third stream, called " Black 

 Stone River," irrigates the department of Chungching Chou, 

 and unites with the other streams at Hsinhsin Hsien. The 

 fourth stream, called " Sand Ditch," flows south-west through 

 Tayi Hsien and Kiung Chou, joining the other streams at 

 Hsinhsin Hsien. All the streams which intersect the Chengtu 

 Plain, save those forming the upper waters of the To River, 

 unite at Chiangkou, a village at the extreme south-eastern edge 

 of the plain, some 45 English miles south of Chengtu city. 



This system of anastomosing canals, ditches, artificial and 

 natural streams, forms a complex yet perfect network. The 

 current in all is steady and swift, the bunding secure, and 

 floods unknown. Not only are all these streams and canals 

 available for irrigation, but they are also utilized to generate 

 power required in various industries. Flour-mills abound, 

 driven by vertical or horizontally fixed water-wheels. Similar 

 mills are used for crushing Chinese rape-seed, preparatory to 

 pressing for the extraction of the oil. 



It must not be supposed that Li-ping and his son completed 

 the system which obtains to-day. They were the originators, 

 and the lines they laid down have been followed and enlarged 

 upon by succeeding generations. These famous irrigation 

 works are perhaps the only public works in all China that are 

 kept in constant and thorough repair. Every year the bunding 

 is repaired and all silt removed from the bed of the channels. 

 An official styled Shui-li Fu— " Prefect of Water- Ways "— 

 residing at Chengtu, has charge of the system. In late winter 

 the water is diverted at Kuan Hsien from the " North " River 

 to admit of the removing of silt, etc. In the early spring, 

 conducted with much pomp, there is an annual ceremony of 

 turning on the waters. The motto of Li-ping, " Shen tao fan, 



