244 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



this region possesses very little in the way of woody plants 

 beyond what are common to the same altitude everywhere in 

 western Szechuan. For richness in species it does not compare 

 favourably with Mount Omei or Mount Wa. However, there are 

 some points of interest. The region evidently enjoys a warm, 

 wet climate, and the belt of broad-leaved evergreens, especially 

 Oak and LaurinecB, extends to a greater altitude than usual. 

 The abundance of Chinese Fir and such interesting trees as 

 Davidia, Tetracentron, Cladrastis, Magnolia, iEsculus, Cercidi- 

 phyllum,and Chinese Butternut {Juglans cathayensis) is perhaps 

 the outstanding feature. Strong-growing climbers such as Hol- 

 boellia, Actinidia, and Clematoclethra abound, and I obtained 

 seeds of several species. Many kinds of Sorbus with white, 

 red, and purple fruits occur, and seeds of these were also secured. 

 Honeysuckles, Brambles, and Rhododendrons are also abundant. 

 The scarcity of Birch, Beech, deciduous Oak, and Sweet Chest- 

 nut, and the entire absence of Pine, Cypress, and Poplar are 

 marked features of the region. Throughout the higher altitudes 

 Silver Fir and Hemlock Spruce are the only Conifers, although 

 in one place I thought I detected some Spruce trees high up 

 on the cliffs. I saw no fine trees of either of these Conifers ; 

 all that now remain grow on the crags and other equally 

 inaccessible places, and have suffered much from the winds and 

 weather generally. The jungle growth of Gleichenia on the 

 sandstone, and the impenetrable Bamboo thickets everjAvhere 

 between 6000 and 10,000 feet altitude, are the most striking 

 floral characteristics of the entire region. The mining in- 

 dustries have been the cause of the wholesale feUing of the 

 timber. 



The entire absence of decent roads, the sparse population, 

 wretchedly poor accommodation, the savage cliffs, and jungle- 

 clad mountain-sides sufficiently entitle this region to be termed 

 " Laolin," i.e. a " Wilderness." 



