26 FLOATING LAMPS 



the river, and consist simply of a cup with a little oil, 

 into which a wick extends. The wicks are formed of 

 the pith of a rush which is found higher up the river, 

 the trade in which is considerable and the mode of 

 transport curious. Several boats being lashed together, 

 huge stacks of the pith, packed in bales, are built upon 

 them until the structure is the size of a good large 

 house. They are then floated down the stream, and the 

 wonder of a stranger on first seeing such a floating pile 

 is exercised as to what it can possibly be. 



The illustration is taken from a photograph of 

 Icliang when the river was low. The flagstaff* shows 

 the position of the British Consulate, to the left is the 

 Chinese city, and in front are to be seen the caves 

 mentioned in this chapter, in which the beggars make 

 their dwelling. 



