NORTH-WESTERN S2ECHUAN 131 



ulmoides) are commonly cultivated. By the side of the torrent 

 the Buddleia was again a wonderful sight. In a temple yard 

 near Yeh-tang is a magnificent tree of Meliosma Beaniana, 

 about 60 feet tall and 12 feet in girth, the head being fully 80 

 feet in diameter. The pinnate leaves produce abundant shade. 

 This tree was covered with small pea-like purple fruits which 

 later afforded me a supply of ripe seeds. (The pinnate-leaved 

 members of this small family are all handsome trees, and none 

 was in cultivation previous to my explorations. I have 

 succeeded in introducing three species, all of them promising 

 to thrive under cultivation. One, M. Veitchioruni, is now 

 flourishing just within the main entrance to Kew Gardens.) 



From Hsao-ho-ying to Shuh-chia-pu, 30 li, the road ascends 

 a narrow valley which is without special interest, the bottom 

 lands and lower slopes being cultivated with maize and buck- 

 wheat. Houses occur at intervals. Just above Shuh-chia-pu, 

 a poverty-stricken hamlet of about a score of houses, the 

 river bifurcates. The road ascends the left and larger branch, 

 plunging immediately into a narrow gorge. The track, all 

 things considered, is good, though there is roomf or improvement. 

 The scenery in this gorge, for magnificent, savage grandeur, 

 would be hard to surpass. The cliffs, chiefly limestone, are 

 mostly sheer, and 2000 to 3000 feet high. Wherever vegetation 

 can find a foothold it is rampant, and a luxuriant jungle of 

 shrubs clothes all but the most vertical walls of rock. By the 

 side of the torrent coarse herbs, shrubs, and small trees abound. 

 The mountain crests and ridges are covered with Spruce and 

 Pine. Now and again glimpses of vicious-looking, desolate 

 peaks, towering above the tree-line, were obtainable. The waters 

 of the torrent roar and dash themselves into foam in their 

 passionate endeavour to escape to more open country. In more 

 peaceful stretches the river describes a series of S-curves with 

 shingly areas covered with Myricaria germanica and Hippophae 

 salicifolia (Sallowthorn) , jutting out into the current. In one 

 place the cliffs recede somewhat, leaving room for a narrow 

 valley, where three or four peasants' huts are pitched. Around 

 these cabins forlorn patches of maize, buckwheat, cabbage. 

 Rhubarb {Rheum palmatum, var. tanguticum), and Tang-kuei 

 {Angelica polymorpha, var, sinensis) are cultivated. The 



