ACROSS THE CHINO-THIBETAN BORDERLAND 177 



is rare, although we passed the largest specimens of this tree I 

 have ever met with. Dcutzia longi folia with lovely rosy-hlac- 

 coloured flowers, Spircea Hcnryi with yard long, flat sprays 

 of pure white, and Neillia longeracemosa with rose-coloured 

 flowers were perhaps the commonest shrubs in blossom. 

 Poplar is the only large deciduous tree hereabouts. Maple 

 is not uncommon, and near Ta-ngai-tung I gathered specimens 

 of a Black Birch having short, stout erect catkins. 



Early next morning we continued oiu" journey, spending 

 the whole day toiling up the ravine through wild and savage, 

 yet wondrous, scenery, with a profusion of vegetation on all 

 sides. Coniferous trees preponderate, the species being the 

 same as those previously mentioned, with a couple of new 

 Spruces added. Yew is less abundant, but Larch much more 

 so, though large trees are very scarce. To my astonishment 

 the Larch cones were ripe, and I collected a quantity of seed. 

 A Poplar with large leaves, silver-grey on the under side, is 

 very common, and we passed some very large specimens. A 

 Rose with large bright red flowers made a fine display, so 

 also did the pink-flowered Deutzia mentioned above. Two 

 Lady-slipper orchids [Cypripedium Franchetii and C. lutcum), 

 with rosy-purple and yellow flowers respectively, occur, but are 

 rare. In the bed of the torrent Hippophae salicifolia (Sallow- 

 thorn) is common, and varies from dwarf spiny bushes to 

 trees 25 feet tall, the long slender foliage silvery-grey below 

 forming a pleasing contrast to the brighter greens of surround- 

 ing trees and shrubs. Many kinds of Maple [Acer], Linden 

 {Tilia), and Mountain Ash {Sorbus) are plentiful, and Tetra- 

 centron sincnse, an interesting tree exceeding in size all other 

 deciduous trees of this particular region, occurs sparingly. 

 Hydrangeas, Spiraeas, Honeysuckles, Mock-orange, Brambles, 

 Roses, Actinidia, Clematoclethra, Viburnum, and other orna- 

 mental shrubs struggle for possession of every available spot. 

 The variety and wealth of bloom was truly astonishing, and 

 I know of no region in Western China richer in woody plants 

 than that traversed during the day's march. 



The weather continued exasperatingly showery, but luckily 

 no great quantity of rain fell, otherwise the route would have 

 been impassable. Heavy mists limited our view, but whenever 

 VOL. I. — 12 



