156 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



dipterocarpum. This Meadow-rue grows 6 to 8 feet tail, has 

 elegant, much-dividedfoUage, and multitudinous, large, lavender- 

 purple flowers — by common consent the handsomest member 

 of its family. In the Min and Tung Valleys, but very local, 

 Incarvillea Wilsonii, which grows nearly 6 feet tall and has 

 handsome flowers very like those of I. Delavayi, occurs. This 

 plant is monocarpic and has not yet flowered in cultivation, 

 although I introduced it into the Veitchian nurseries as long 

 ago as 1903. Salvia Przewalskii, with large purple flowers, 

 is another striking herb common in the valleys above 8000 

 feet altitude. This list of ornamental herbs could easily be 

 extended if any useful service would be served thereby. On 

 bare rocks various species of SelagineUa abound ; the Mullein 

 [Verhascum Thapsus), Deadly Nightshade [Hyoscyamus niger), 

 and Thornapple {Datura Stramonium) are common weeds by 

 the wayside. The poisonous properties of the two last named 

 are well known to the natives. From this brief sketch it will 

 be seen that these narrow, dry, almost desert-like valleys, with 

 their abnormally warm climate, possess a flora which, if limited 

 in number of species, contains many plants of more than 

 passing interest and horticultural value. 



As mentioned earher (p. 149), this hinterland is peopled 

 by various independent and semi-independent tribes about 

 which little is known. The whole region is analagous with 

 that separating India and Thibet, and this statement of fact 

 will perhaps convey a more intelligible idea than the most 

 voluminous details. These tribes are divisible into four 

 distinct groups, in accordance with their official status and 

 form of government. 



1. States independent, non-tributary, hostile to both 

 Chinese and Lama authority, as the Lolo kingdom. I have no 

 intimate acquaintance with the Lolo — a people once spread 

 over much of Yunnan, but now relegated to the region of the 

 Taliang shan, where they have never been conquered by the 

 Chinese. This race possesses a written language peculiar to 

 itself and is probably indigenous. 



2. States reaUy independent and even hostile toward China, 

 directly controlled by the Dalai Lama and Council, whose poUcy 

 is supposed to be modified by High Commissioners appointed 



