THE LOESS OF CHINA? 
By Grorcre B. BARBOUR 
Yenching University, Peking 
[With 6 plates] 
CONTENTS 
Introduction. 4. Sang-kan Ho beds. 
Distribution of loess in general. Loesslike formations in China— 
The loess of China. B. Younger than the loess. 
Chemical. analysis. 1. Redeposited loess. 
Mineral and mechanical analysis. 2. Alluvium. 
Soil characteristics of loess. Age of the loess. 
The loess of Europe and America. Origin and mode of accumulation of 
Loesslike formations in China. loess. 
A. Older than the loess. Vertical cleavage of loess. 
1. Hipparion beds. “Huang T’u” and “ Loess.” 
2. Kansu continental deposits, | Bibliography. 
3. San-Men beds. 
INTRODUCTION 
Every traveler who returns from a first up-country tour in Chihhl 
or Shansi has some comment to make upon the curious sights of the 
loess country, if not a photograph to show of picturesque canyons 
or quaint cave dwellings. But despite frequent literary references 
to loess in China from before the days of its description by the 
explorer Baron v. Richthofen (10-56)? until to-day, any attempt to 
get at facts about its true nature and origin reveal how limited our 
actual knowledge is. For instance, careful inquiry has so far brought 
to light only three chemical analyses, none of these being in print. 
Descriptive notes, each usually from a different point of view, may be 
found scattered through articles or chapters by various authors. 
Detailed descriptions of its occurrence are given in the researches 
of v. Richthofen and Willis. In recent years by far the most critical 
study has been that contributed by Dr. J. G. Andersson, mining ad- 
visor to the Chinese Government, based upon geological field work 
1 Reprinted by permission from The China Journal of Science and Arts, Vol. III, No. 8, 
August, 1925, pp. 454-468, and Vol. III, No. 9, September, 1925, pp. 509-519. 
2 Note.—References, where not given as footnotes, are indicated by two numbers, the 
first that of the publication as listed in the bibliography at the end of the paper, the 
seeond the page quoted in that volume. 
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