224 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



as it may be termed, is composed chiefly of evergreen trees 

 and shrubs, the genera Machilus, Lindera, and Litsea being 

 exceptionally rich in species. Within this zone also occur 

 the following interesting monotypic trees : Tapiscia, Carrieria, 

 Itoa, Emmenopterys, and Idesia. The evergreen Viburnum 

 coriaceum, with blue-black fruits, and five species of evergreen 

 Barberries are also met with found here. 



In ascending any high mountain, more especially in these 

 latitudes, it is most instructive and interesting to note the 

 aggressiveness of the temperate flora. Mount Omei offers special 

 facilities for studying this phenomenon. Everything around 

 us looks so smiling that all nature seems to be at peace. 

 In these days, however, every one is alive to the fact that a 

 stern and relentless war of conquest is being continually waged 

 on all sides, and that every inch of ground is contested. It 

 is well that plants cannot speak, or the exultations of the victors 

 and the groans of the vanquished would be too much for human- 

 ity to bear ! But to note the struggle : The large-leaved 

 Cornel {Cornus macrophylla) manages to extend its area nearly 

 to the base of the mountain, being closely attended by several 

 species of Maple, among which Acer Davidii, with white- 

 striped bark, is particrJarly prominent. A Black Birch 

 {Betula luminifera), several species of Viburnum, Pyrus, 

 Malus, Rubus, and Prunus are also w^ell to the fore ; but it is in 

 the Hinterland (4500 to 5500 feet) that the main battle between 

 the zones is fought. This narrow belt is extraordinarily rich 

 in woody plants. Of those peculiar to it I may mention 

 Pterostyrax hispidus, Pterocarya Delavayi, Euptelea pleiosperma, 

 Decaisnea Fargesii, Horse Chestnut {Msculus Wilsonii), 

 and the monotypic genera Tetracentron, Emmenopterys, and 

 Davidia. At least five species of Maple occur with many fine 

 specimens of each. Several species of Evonymus, Holboellia, 

 Actinidia, and Holly [Ilex) are also common. The bulk of the 

 LaurinecB have given up the struggle, their place being taken 

 by Evergreen Oak and Castanopsis. In this belt monkeys are 

 common, and are fond of the blue pod-like fruit of the 

 Decaisnea, the shining black, flattened seeds of which, however, 

 I noticed they cannot digest. 



On clearing a dense thicket and emerging on to a narrow 



