244 M. Kovanko’s General View of the Environs of Pekin. 
water is perfectly transparent, and contains no salt in solu- 
tion. Its use consists in procuring the bathers a copious per- 
spiration. The baths are frequented by many persons of the 
inferior classes in the spring, who either come there for their 
health, or merely as an object for an excursion. 
Three li to the west of Syao-Tan-Chan, there is another in- 
sulated mountain called Da-Tan-Chan, a little more elevated 
than the former, and formed like it of compact limestone full 
of quartz veins. The base of this mountain gives rise to 
many springs, one of which has a temperature of 16° R. 
(68° F.) and the water is very pure. 
There was formerly at this place an establishment for baths 
of cold water, but it is now in ruins, as are also the temples 
which were in the neighbourhood of the spring. In general, 
the priests of the temples of the religion of Khe-Shan and of 
Da-o, exercise hospitality. Travellers may always find a lodg- 
ing with these hermits ; it is true that their services must be 
largely remunerated, but they must of necessity have re- 
course to them, there being no other places where accommo- 
dation can be obtained. In the convents, 10 roubles* is the 
lowest price for a rest of a few hours, and, for a whole day, 
25 roubles are not considered to be sufficient. From this it 
may be easily judged how costly even the shortest excursions 
in the environs of Pekin must be. 
The outline of the Northern Mountains is pretty uniform ; 
they are, generally speaking, nearly bare, their flanks being 
rarely covered by small bushes, and alluvia of little import- 
ance, 
These mountains are of considerable elevation, particu- 
larly that of Syao-Chan, situated 30 li to the north-east of 
the temple Loun-Tzouwan-Sy, which is distant 60 li north 
from Pekin. It is principally composed of granite, of which 
the lower part, being large grained, decomposes into gravel ; 
the upper portions are small grained, and shew no signs 
of disintegration. This granite consists of red felspar, clear 
* 10 roubles = 11 francs 50 centimes ; 25 roubles = 28 francs 75 cen- 
times, 
