132 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



abandoned clearings axe covered with coarse herbs, among which 

 Senecio clivorum, growing 4 to 5 feet tall, with its golden yellow 

 flowers, was prominent. AsHlbe Davidii also abounds ; like- 

 wise the Buddleia. A sub-shrubby Elder, growing 3 to 5 feet 

 tall, with masses of salmon-red fruits, was a pretty sight in 

 all the more open moist places. (The species proved to be 

 new and has been named Sambucus Schweriniana, Rehder, in 

 PlantcB WilsoniancB, Part II. p. 306 (1912).) The vegetation 

 indeed is rich and varied, and a large harvest of specimens 

 rewarded the day's labours. After scrambling some 30 li 

 along this gorge we reached the hostel of Lao-tang-fang just 

 as night was closing in. We encountered considerable traffic 

 on the road. Coming from Sungpan were coolies laden with 

 medicines, sheep-skins, and wool. Journeying thither the coolies 

 were laden chiefly with wine in specially constructed tubs, 

 preserved pork and rice. Lao-tang-fang, alt. 7600 feet, consists 

 of one large new hostel, not quite completed at the time of our 

 visit ; a long row of "bunks" are built along one side, with 

 benches for the accommodation of loads on the other. The 

 whole structure is of wood, the roofing being of shingles badly 

 laid. The mud floors were very damp, and vegetation was 

 springing up in the corners and under the bunks. Skins of 

 Serow and Budorcas served as mattress on the bunks, or 

 settees, and no two of these skins exhibited the same coloration. 

 Both animals are said to be common in the neighbourhood, 

 more especially the Serow. The Parti-coloured Bear, or Giant 

 Panda, also occurs here in the Bamboo jungles. 



The hostel was full to overflowing and undoubtedly suppHes 

 a much-needed want. For the sake of future travellers, if for 

 no other reason, I heartily hope success attends the landlord's 

 venture. Formerly a most miserable structure occupied this 

 site, and I have unpleasant memories of a night spent there in 

 1904. Except for a tiny cabbage-patch there was no sign 

 of cultivation around the hostel, but clearings were being 

 made for the purpose of cultivating Tang-kuei and other 

 medicines. The view from this spot is savage and grand 

 beyond power of words. On all sides are precipitous moun- 

 tains, towering 3000 feet and more above the torrent, all more 

 or less densely forested. Almost facing the river is a limestone 



