64 NATURE OF THE SOIL. 



the adjacent and overhanging hills ; then the ele- 

 vated situations of these sites, enjoying an open 

 exposure to the morning sun — especially useful in 

 dispersing the mists and exhalations which collect 

 in the night in mountainous districts having 

 running streams — seem to combine most of those 

 advantages which the Chinese of this province deem 

 beneficial to the growth and perfection of the tea 

 tree. 



It is to be regretted that we have not more au- 

 thentic and detailed accounts of this soil, or any 

 certain and satisfactory specimens of these rocks to 

 guide us as to its nature. Two or three specimens 

 sent to me with the soils in question, said to 

 be from this particular district, consisted, as has 

 already been observed, of worn pebbles of slate, 

 which were apparently taken out of the bed of a 

 river; and a piece of conglomerate sandstone, or 

 grauwacke, with a Chinese name written upon it, 

 stated to be the name of the tea hill, or rock 

 whence it was taken. 



If we may be permitted, in the absence of posi- 

 tive information, to speculate on the nature of these 

 rocks from the views represented by the Chinese in 

 their drawings, or rather maps of this district, the 

 rocks and hills, from their laminated sides in some 

 cases, and their grotesque forms in others, appear 

 to consist of schistose and limestone formation. 

 Those of the more rounded and pointed forms may 

 be sandstone and granite. 



