234 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



and the finest specimen of the interesting monotypic Tapiscia 

 sinensis I have seen. This tree is fully 80 feet tall, with a girth 

 of 12 feet. Many fine trees of the Kuei-hwa {Osmanthus 

 fragrans) are planted in the temple grounds, and were in full 

 flower, scenting the atmosphere all around. Near streams 

 Alder {Alnus cremastogyne) is abundant, and on the hills the 

 Chinese Fir is common. 



It rained heavily all night, and a drizzle fell when we set 

 out next morning at 6.30 a.m. This drizzle developed into 

 a steady downpour as we advanced, and continued with in- 

 creased violence the whole day. The road is atrocious from 

 the very beginning. For the first 2500 feet there is a semblance 

 of a track, some of it being made by laying pieces of split 

 timber crosswise. The next 2500 feet is a rough scramble 

 upwards through cane-brake and brushwood until the summit 

 is reached. The ascent is up the north-north-east angle of the 

 mountain, and though never really dangerous is always very 

 difficult. We dragged ourselves upward by grasping shrubs, 

 and it was a marvel to me how the coolies with their loads 

 managed to overcome the ascent. The foothold was pre- 

 carious, and it was often a case of one foot forward and two 

 backward ! 



On reaching the summit we followed a winding path 

 for 12 li to the temple of Kwanyin-ping, alt. 9100 feet. The 

 mountain-top is undulating, park-like, and covered with an 

 impenetrable jungle of Bamboo-scrub about 6 feet tall, arising 

 from a floor of Sphagnum moss. Silver Fir [Abies Ddavayi), 

 called Lien sha, i.e. Cold Fir (signifying that it is only found in 

 cold regions), is scattered through in quantity, but I saw no 

 really handsome trees, all of them showing the effects of wind- 

 storms, age, and decay. The pathway across the summit is 

 about 2^ feet wide, paved throughout with split timbers, though 

 here and there fallen Silver Fir trees, slightly notched and 

 flattened, have been utflized in making this roadway. We 

 passed three temples in absolute ruins, but saw no signs of 

 life of any description. The heavy rain and dense mists 

 obscured all views, and I saw nothing of the country^or 

 scenery except what was encompassed in a perspective of 30 

 yards. Drenched to the skin but mildly describes the plight 



