SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



this fern exactly resembles the European species. 



Other Cryptogams prevalent in North China 

 are the Horsetail {Equisetum), the Liverwort 

 (Pellia) and the Selaginella {Selaginella sp.). 



Of the last named there are two species. One, 

 resembling the Common British species {S. spinosa), 

 grows in damp ravines in the mountains of Shansi. 

 The other, a drought-resisting form, grows on 

 exposed rock surfaces in the barren Limestone 

 mountains bordering the Chihli plain. 



Numerous mosses and lichens grow in the forests 

 and mountainous areas. 



In conclusion I would mention the fungi, many 

 edible species of which exist. The Mushroom is 

 very common, especially upon the Mongolian 

 Plateau. It is surprising how many species 

 belonging to this genus are eaten by the 

 Chinese, who dry them for winter use, and serve 

 them up at feasts in a great many ways. The 

 poor people in the mountains of Shansi yearly 

 make quite a good income by drying and selling 

 the various kinds of edible fungi, some of the 

 choicer varieties fetching as much as 500 cash 

 (over Is.) per pound. 



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