CHAPTER IX. 



RETURN MARCH OF GRANT AND SOWERBY FROM LAN-CHOU TO T'AI-YUAN. 



UAVING disposed of as much of the ammunition, photographic materials, 

 and provisions as the European community in Lan-chou could take, 

 Grant and Sowerby, with a train of fifty heavily-laden mules, left the citj' on 

 July 15th. Their instructions were to follow the road leading through Ching- 

 ning Chou, Ku-yiian Chou, and Ch'ing-yang Fu to Yen-an Fu, and thence 

 proceed via Sui-te Chou and Fen-chou Fu to T'ai-yiian Fu. En route they 

 were to take astronomical observations for latitude and time at the following 

 places: Ching-ning, Ku-yiian, Ch'ing-yang, Yen-an, and Fen-chou. 



In addition, meteorological observations were taken twice daily, three 

 aneroid barometers, checked from time to time by the mercurial barometer, 

 being used. Boiling-point readings were also taken, and the humidity of the 

 air tested with wet and dry bulb thermometers. 



A good deal of attention was devoted to photography. Grant made some 

 very successful attempts at photographing small living animals, and the results 

 are given in the chapters dealing with the biographical work of the expedition. 

 A large number of quarter-plate pictures of Chinese countrywomen were taken 

 with the handy Reflex camera, in the use of which Grant became an expert ; 

 and a unique collection of portraits were obtained. The utmost ingenuity was 

 necessary in dealing with the fair sitters. Far less trouble was experienced in 

 dealing with the case of Sowerby's nervous little animals, for these were 

 usually tied by a string, and willy-nilly had to come into the picture. The 

 ladies, on the other hand, at the shghtest sign of an attempt to snap them, 

 would seek their homes, whence nothing could dislodge them. Anything 

 striking in the way of feminine head-gear was sought after most eagerly ; whilst 

 scenery and peculiarities in geological formation were not neglected. 



Sowerby kept a sharp look-out for anything of biological interest : snakes, 

 frogs, and lizards all finding their way into his alcohol tanks ; and butterflies 

 being eagerly chased and captured to be packed flat in specially made envelopes. 

 In one place a large collection of Mammals was made, containing three 

 new species. But all these will be dealt with in their right place, and it is best 

 to return to the commencement of the journey, taking events in their proper 

 sequence. 



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