128 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



the left bank. At K'ung chiao the torrent is joined by another 

 of equal size, the united waters forming a fine clear-water 

 stream. From this point downwards rice is cultivated. The 

 stream continues to receive affluents, a very considerable one 

 joining it at Tu-tien-tsze. At Peh-mu chiao, lo li above Tu- 

 tien-tsze, the timber logged in the surrounding mountains is 

 made into rafts and floated down. Just below Shui-ching-pu 

 the stream unites with the main branch of the Lungan River 

 (the Fou Ho), and the rafts are floated down past the city of 

 Lungan to Chungpa, a large village of vast commercial im- 

 portance, in direct water communication with distant Chung- 

 king, it being within the Kialing River system. 



Tu-tien-tsze is a small market village and a Roman Catholic 

 Mission centre. This Church has a strong following through- 

 out the region we had traversed from An Hsien. The country 

 folk everywhere in this part were most courteous and civil. 

 This, I think, is probably due to the influence wielded by the 

 self-sacrificing priests of the Roman Faith. But whatever the 

 cause, I shall always retain pleasant memories of the people 

 encountered everywhere in this little-known region. 



The road proved easy all day, usually skirting the moun- 

 tains well above the stream. At Tu-tien-tsze a cross-country 

 road leads to Lungan Fu, some 130 li distant. Ten li below 

 Tu-tien-tsze we crossed to the left bank of the stream by a 

 covered bridge. Descending a few miles and crossing a promon- 

 tory we reached the main river (Fou Ho) opposite Shui-ching- 

 pu. Ferrying across to this village, we found lodgings in a large 

 house owned by a Shensi man of the Mohammedan persuasion. 



Shui-ching-pu, alt. 4200 feet, is a market village of about 200 

 houses, situated on an alluvial flat, surrounded by mountains 

 largely under cultivation. A river of considerable size, which 

 brings down an unusual quantity of detritus, joins the main 

 stream on the left bank immediately below the village. A 

 road ascends this stream, leading to Wen Hsien in Kansu 

 province. It was said to be difficult, traversing a mountainous 

 region peopled with Sifan. Iron is a local product of some 

 importance hereabouts. Gold is also mined in the neighbour- 

 hood. The quartz, after it has been broken into small pieces, 

 is pounded into dust in mills like those commonly used for 



