106 TOPOGRAPHY OF CHINA. 



joined by the Yun-Ling chain, which, entering China at 

 about 31 N. latitude, and 101 JC. longitude, descends 

 southwards nearly to the province of Yun-Nan. These 

 mountains, from the easternmost edge of the high table 

 lands of E. Asia, are snow-capped, and inaccessible to 

 the natives, being actually left blank on the Chinese 

 maps.&quot; DAVIS. 



Another ridge joining the Pe-Ling at the same point, 

 takes an opposite or N. N. east direction, and entering 

 the Empire in the Province of Shen-Se, reaches nearly 

 to 110 E. long. Another arm of the Pe-Ling the 

 Ta-Paling chain intersects the country from west to 

 east, to about 115 E. long. ; the Pe-Ling itself con 

 tinuing in its former course, gives out various branches 

 which traverse the central provinces. The other moun 

 tain chains join the stupendous Himalaya ridges, and 

 enter into the country at its S. west in the Province of 

 Yun-Nan, from whose high table lands the most extensive 

 Chinese range rises. The Yun-Lung, the most southerly 

 of these chains, runs nearly east into the Province of 

 Quang-Tong. But by far the most important mountain 

 chain is the Nang-Ling, which branches off from the 

 northern edge of the Yun-Nang highland, runs eastwards 

 to within 150 miles of Canton ; it then inclines N. E. to 

 its termination to the harbor of Ning-Po, having given 

 out many branches, some of the mountains belonging to 

 which, rise above the snow line. MACARTNEY EMBASSY. 

 Most of the mountains here mentioned end in low hills in 

 the Eastern Provinces, which consequently comprise 

 the hilly districts. 



It will be seen from the above extracts, that one-half 

 of the area of China is covered over with mountains. 



