NORTH-WESTERN SZECHUAN 139 



Senecio, Saussurea and other Comfositce, slender growing 

 Saxifraga, etc. The blue and purple by various Aconites, 

 Larkspurs, and Gentians ; among the latter Gentiana Veitchio- 

 rum, with large erect flowers, covers large areas. The Lousewort 

 {Pedicularis) and Fumewort [Corydalis) are represented by 

 many species, having flowers embracing all the cardinal colours. 

 Primulas occur, but not in many species. Androsace, Sedum, 

 Cyananthus, and other alpine genera abound. 



Large flocks of sheep are pastured on these uplands, but 

 yak are not kept in quantity hereabouts. There is not much 

 variety of game. Blue sheep are common, Budorcas are found 

 near the timber line ; on the higher crags occasional flocks of 

 Goa, or Thibetan gazelle, occur. Snow-partridge, Thibetan 

 Hazel-hen, Snow-cock and aflied game-birds, together with 

 Thibetan Hares, are fairly numerous. The Wolf is the only 

 carnivorous animal really common. 



The Hseuh-po-ting snows are visible on clear days from the 

 wall of Chengtu city, and are accounted the " Luck of the 

 Plain." The Chinese claim that so long as snow covers 

 this peak the prosperity of Chengtu and its surrounding plain 

 is assured. It was a perfect moonlight night on the occasion 

 of my last sojourn at San-chia-tsze, and late in the evening I 

 beheld the " Luck of Chengtu," with its crown of eternal 

 snow lit by the radiant moonlight. The loneliness of the 

 region, the intense stillness on all sides, and the wonderful peak 

 with its snowy mantle, made a most impressive scene. 



A glorious morning followed a perfect night. From the 

 head of the pass (alt. 13,400 feet) I obtained further good views 

 of the Hsueh-po-ting, bearing west-south-west and secured 

 some photographs. The peak is probably 22,000 feet high, in 

 shape an irregular tetrahedron, the south-west slopes carrying 

 enormous snow-fields. The north-east face is very steep 

 and carries but little snow. The surrounding peaks are bare 

 and desolate looking ; no vestige of life was discernible, and 

 the whole scene was lonely, most forbidding, even awesome, 

 though bathed in brilliant sunshine. 



Below San-chia-tsze are the stone ruins of an old fort and 

 stockade, relics of ancient warring times, but now covered 

 with various herbs, especially Saxifrages, which were masses 



