34 SOAP TBEES 



inhabited by nunierous species of birds, amongst 

 which pigeons and several kinds of thrush were most 

 common. 



The ground beneath these creepers forms a favourite 

 playground for native children, who carry off the seeds 

 for playthings. Near this a species of soap tree grows, 

 and attains a height of seventy or eighty feet, with a 

 girth of about six feet. Its foliage resembles that of the 

 common ash, but is of a darker green, with the leaves 

 not so pointed. The useful part is the pod, which is 

 gathered, stored, and used, without any further prepara- 

 tion, in the same way and for the same purpose as soap 

 is used. These pods are of a dark-brown colour, and 

 about six inches long. A more highly prized pod is 

 produced on the mountains, and this is shorter but 

 thicker than that grown on the plains. The tree pro- 

 ducing it appears to be a species of acacia, judging 

 from the leaf and flower, the latter being yellow. Care 

 must be taken when using this natural soap that the 

 hands are free from cuts or abrasions, for it finds these 

 out at once and causes intense pain. For the same 

 reason it cannot be used for the face, as if a particle 

 enters the eye it is at least half an hour before the pain 

 is got rid of. 



Passing up the river, I now entered the Ichang 

 Gorge, where the scenery is magnificent. Instead of 



