APPENDIX. 373 



above the level of the sea. And it has been shown that 

 some of the finest teas are produced on the plains. But 

 if we estimate the elevation of the hills, on which the teas 

 of commerce are grown, and which are said to be not 

 remarkable for their height, at from 700 to 800 feet more, 

 this would give an elevation of 1500 feet. For the high- 

 flavoured teas, the reader may indulge his fancy at any 

 height above this. 



Now, if we examine a good map in which the mountains 

 are indicated, we shall find that a continuous and some- 

 what lofty range extends nearly from the Yang-cse-kiang 

 to the western extremity of the empire, separating the 

 provinces of Kiang-soo, Che-kiang, Fokien, Quong-tong, 

 Quong-sy, and Yun-nan, from the rest of the empire. 

 Then, if we imagine this great and extensive range, heaved 

 and raised up to irregular heights, varying perhaps from 

 4000 to 8000 feet above the sea, and examine the course 

 of the rivers, we shall find that all west and north of this 

 range discharge their waters into the great river, the 

 Yang-cse-kiang ; and all east and south disembogue into 

 the sea, thus indicating an inclination in opposite directions 

 on either side of this range. The province of Kiang-soo, 

 however, is almost a dead level from the mountains to the 

 sea. The green tea district is situated near the western 

 base of this range ; and the black tea districts, also, at the 

 base, but on the east. Then, if we imagine two other 

 ranges forking oif from the principal range, running in a 

 direction east of north, and dividing the provinces of 

 Kiang-sy and Hu-quong, and the latter from Szu-chuen, 

 with inclinations inwards, as well as towards the Yang- 

 cse-kiang, we shall then, I believe, have some general, 

 though imperfect, idea of the face and inclination of that 

 part of the country, where the tea plant has been found 

 indigenous in all ages. The provinces of Szu-chuen, Kiang- 

 sy, Fokien, and Che-kiang are classed among the most 



mountainous provinces of the empire. 



B b 3 



