12 CHINESE MOUNTAINEERS 



invariably make for tlie higher ground, and being then 

 more exposed, frequently offer a good shot. I am 

 doubtful as to the species of these goats, but a fine 

 living adult specimen has been obtained, and is now, I 

 believe, in the possession of Pere Heurde, in his garden 

 at Sicawei. 



A beautiful flying squirrel is also found here. One 

 was obtained alive by Percy Montgomery, Esq., of the 

 Imperial Maritime Customs, and sent by him to the 

 gardens of the Eoyal Zoological Society, where it is still 

 living. 



The hill Chinese are exceedingly good mountaineers, 

 and it is most alarming to see them on the face of a 

 cliff nearly perpendicular, finding foothold on ledges 

 only a few inches wide, with a sheer drop of perhaps 

 hundreds of feet beneath them. If a break occurs in 

 the ledge, and there should happen to be any vegetation 

 over their heads, they will not hesitate to seize it with 

 their hands and swing themselves over the gap. It is a 

 thing to be seen before one can thoroughly comprehend 

 it, and I heard, without much surprise, that loss of life 

 by accident was not unfrequent among them. 



The whole aspect of these gorges is beautiful in 

 the extreme. Lofty precipices, clear limpid streams, 

 luxuriant vegetation, and charming flowers combine to 

 make it one of the most delightful spots I have ever 



