NORTH-WESTERN SZECHUAN 137 



the Spruce, were fruiting freely. (Both were subsequently 

 introduced to cultivation.) Larch overtops all other trees, 

 reaching its limits at about 12,000 feet altitude. The vegetation 

 of the ranges flanking the narrow valley, up which the main road 

 ascends, presents a remarkable contrast. The range to the left 

 of the stream, above 10,000 feet altitude, is covered only with 

 scrub and grass ; whereas the range on the right bank is 

 heavily forested up to altitude 12,000 feet. Early in the after- 

 noon, after covering 40 li, we reached the lonely hostel of San- 

 chia-tsze, alt. 12,800 feet, situate some 600 feet below the head 

 of the pass. During the first 25 li of the day's march we passed 

 several large farmhouses, but nearly all are deserted and falling 

 into ruins. Around these houses a few plats of wheat, barley, 

 flax, and Irish potato are cultivated ; also cabbage, garlic, 

 and other vegetables in minute quantities. Tobacco (Nicotiana 

 rustica) , in small quantities for household use, is grown around 

 San-tsze-yeh, and the crop looked very happy. These sporadic 

 attempts at cultivation represent the vain and futile efforts of 

 the Chinese settlers to eke out an existence from the inhos- 

 pitable soil. This side of the pass is evidently much colder 

 than the Sungpan side, since there, at greater elevations, good 

 crops of wheat, barley, and peas can be raised. 



Apart from the forests already mentioned, herbs dominate 

 the flora. A great variety were still in flower, the various 

 species of Senecio and Gentiana being most striking. Gentiana 

 detonsa, a slender plant a foot and more tall, with numerous 

 large deep blue flowers, looked particularly happy, flaunting 

 its blossoms in the sun. On rocky screes the yellow-flowered 

 Clematis tangutica is abundant and was covered with its 

 top-shaped blossoms. The hedges bordering the fields are 

 composed chiefly of Wild Gooseberry and Sorbaria arborea : 

 the latter was in full flower. In copses by the stream, up to 

 11,500 feet. Hornbeam, Cherry, Red Birch, Willow, Maple, and 

 Hazel-nut are common. The Hazel-nut is mainly Corylus 

 ferox, var. thibetica, a variety having a spiny fruit closely 

 resembling that of the Sweet Chestnut [Castanea). 



The hostel of San-chia-tsze is maintained for the accommo- 

 dation of travellers, and a posse of soldiers is stationed here to 

 keep down banditti. The hostel is a roomy but miserable 



