ACROSS THE CHINO-THIBETAN BORDERLAND 189 



sub-shrubby Incarvillea variabilis and Amphicome arguta, 

 both with large, tubular, pink flowers, are very abundant by 

 the roadside. Other common shrubs are Bauhinia, Sophora 

 viciifolia, Ceratostigma, with lovely blue flowers, Ligustrum and 

 Rosa Soulieana. On the cliffs Cupressus torulosa is dotted 

 about. Maize is the principal crop, occupying in season almost 

 every inch of available land. Houses are fairly numerous, 

 but most of them are relegated to the higher slopes well above 

 the valley. The scenery in places is rugged and grand. In 

 front of the inn at Pan-ku chiao limestone cliffs rear themselves 

 some 2000 feet, abutting on a cultivated slope where Walnut 

 trees are scattered around. Crowning a bluff is a tall tower, 

 and near-by another in ruins, telling of glories now departed. 



On leaving Pan-ku chiao we descended the right bank of 

 the Hsaochin Ho, some 42 li to the point where it joins the 

 Tachin Ho or Upper Tung River. This final stretch is little 

 else but one long succession of cataracts and strong rapids, 

 the turbulent waters being thick with brown mud. High 

 bare cliffs predominate, but here and there occur more or less 

 flat fan-shaped areas under cultivation, with houses shaded by 

 Poplar, Willow, and Walnut trees. Diospyros Lotus, Hovenia 

 dulcis, and the large-leaved Ligustrum lucidum are other 

 trees common hereabouts. Maize is evidently the chief 

 summer crop in these regions, but wheat is grown, a red, 

 beardless variety, with stout ears, and harvesting was in 

 progress. Rock-pigeons are very abundant, and were busily 

 engaged in exacting their toll of the ripening grain. 



After passing the hamlet of Yo-tsa we sighted on the 

 opposite (left) bank a large lamasery sequestered midst a fine 

 grove of trees. A little beyond this is the village of Tsung-lu, 

 a curious-looking place, boasting of a score or more tall towers. 

 Skin coracles are employed to ferry over to these places. 



The Hsaochin Ho is prevented from joining the Tachin Ho 

 at right angles by a rocky spit which at times is evidently 

 flooded over. Marble and granite are common rocks hereabouts, 

 the latter being full of mica flakes which glistened in the sun. 

 Ascending the left bank of the Tachin Ho for a couple of li, then 

 crossing over a bamboo suspension bridge go yards long, we 

 soon reached the small town of Romi Chango. The whole day's 



