174 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



under maize or covered with a dense jungle. The flora was of 

 passing interest only, being similar in character to that found 

 everywhere in western Szechuan between 4000 and 6000 feet 

 altitude. The more interesting shrubs collected were a yellow- 

 flowered Schisandra, a white-flowered Clematoclethra, and the 

 Yunnan Holly [Ilex yunnanensis) with small, neat leaves, 

 clusters of purplish, fragrant flowers, and hairy shoots. 

 Actinidia Kolomikta, a large climber with white, fragrant 

 flowers and added beauty in the shape of a multitude of white 

 leaves, is excessively common. Nearly all the species of 

 Actinidia and the allied genus Clematoclethra, other than those 

 clothed with rufous hairs, have these white leaves, which 

 usually become pinkish as the season advances. All the species 

 are handsome climbers, and the majority bear very palatable 

 juicy edible fruit. 



The trees of this region, though not numerous or of any 

 great 'size, include such remarkable subjects as Davidia, Ptero- 

 styrax, Tapiscia, Tetracentron, Beech, and Horse Chestnut. 

 Occasional trees of Cornus kousa occur, and were a wealth 

 of white flower-heads enlivening the country-side. Walnut 

 trees are common around houses and wild strawberries by 

 the wayside. In the grassy valley the beautiful Ilex Pernyi 

 occurs with Rodgersia cesculifoUa and Lilium giganteum in 

 quantity. Around Hao-tzu-ping odd patches of maize are 

 cultivated, but where clearings have been made the ground 

 is mostly covered with grass and coarse herbs. 



During the day we met many men laden with huge logs 

 of Teih-sha [Tsuga, Hemlock Spruce) and Hung-sha {Larix, 

 Larch) timber. These logs were dressed, and carried on a 

 wooden framework. I measured one with a tape ; it was 

 18 feet 6 inches long, 7 inches thick, and 9 inches broad. It is 

 astounding how such loads are carried over vile mountain 

 roads. As fellow-travellers during the day we had some 

 tribesmen in charge of a small mule caravan of tea, bound 

 for the state of Wokje. 



After leaving Hoa-tzu-ping we soon reached the head of 

 the valley which merges into a narrow jungle-clad ravine. 

 After a precipitous climb of 30 li we reached the summit of 

 the Niu-tou shan, alt. 10,000 feet, where dense mists blotted 



