32 BETUBN TO ICHANG 



that I was reluctantly obliged to give up tlie pursuit ; 

 and perhaps it would have been wiser never to have 

 attempted it, as they would have been very awkward 

 customers in such a close thicket. 



I remained until October 14, by which time I had 

 satisfied myself that the locality was admirably adapted 

 for making collections, provided it was visited at the 

 proper season of the year. I therefore made arrange- 

 ments to take the house for four months in the following 

 spring and summer, and shall describe the place more 

 fully wdien dealing with my longer visit. Before leaving 

 I ascended to the ridge of the range, the altitude of which 

 I found to be 6,500 feet, the southern slope being more 

 grassy than the northern. Pheasants were fairly plenti- 

 fitl, both Eeeves' and the common, and I shot several 

 before I left. 



As it was useless to think of collecting in Chang- 

 yang in the early part of the 3'ear, its altitude being 

 too great, I wished to make a short expedition up the 

 river to see what could be done close to its banks. For 

 this purpose the Consul very kindly lent me his house- 

 boat, and in her I left on March 30. I had often 

 heard from the Europeans of an enormous creeping 

 plant not far from the town, but on the opposite side of 

 the river, and I now determined to make a visit to it. 

 When at some little distance off, it presents the appear- 



