SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



The Chinese, hke the Negroes of America, are 

 exceedingly fond of Melons, of which they have 

 a number of cultivated varieties. First and fore- 

 most comes the Water-melon. These are grown 

 very extensively, where the soil and climate are 

 favourable, and in summer the Chinese consume 

 enormous quantities of this harmless fruit. A 

 European, who attempted to start a mineral water 

 factory in T'ai-yiian Fu, found in the Water-melon 

 an unconquerable competitor, and finally was 

 forced to abandon the enterprise. 



Besides the Water-melon there is a long soft 

 White Melon, with a delicate flavour known as 

 " Ts'ai kua " (Vegetable Melon), also small orange 

 and green Melons, known respectively as T'ien 

 kua (Sweet Melon) and Hsiang kua (Scented Melon). 



Pumpkins of various kinds also occur, chief 

 amongst which are Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata 

 and C pepo. The Cucumber, though scarcely a 

 fruit, is also extensively grown. None of these 

 Melons or Pumpkins are found in a wild state. 



iii. FLOWERS 

 Under this heading comes so vast an array of 

 plants, that it is impossible to do them even the 

 barest justice in a portion of a chapter. I must 

 be content with a mere skimming of the surface, 

 mentioning a few of the more important Orders, 

 and the chief representatives of each. 



In many places the mountains of Shansi and 



237 



