MU-TAN RAPID 85 



low, swampy banks, tlie river is here confined by 

 mountains and precipices. The towing path is now- 

 confined to one side of the river only, and sometimes 

 has to be cut out of the face of a cliff. In tlie course 

 of a few hours I reached the village of Pin-san-pa, where 

 oranges are cultivated by the natives. This is a small 

 Le-kin, or Custom House station, where native boats are 

 •examined. After a short stay the journey up the river 

 was resumed, and Shi-pi-san was soon reached. This 

 is a village about fifteen miles from Ichang, situated on 

 the right bank of the river, and at the upper extremity 

 of the gorge. 



The river here takes a sharp bend to the northward, 

 and from this point may l3e seen a range of mountains 

 to the southward and away from the river, which 

 I ascended when on another expedition, but found too 

 much cultivated around to make it a i>ood collectino- 

 station. The first night was passed here, and starting 

 the next morning at 5.30, the bend of the river was 

 followed round, and the same precipitous banks were 

 found, which in some places were very prettily covered 

 with vegetation, among which ferns were conspicuous, 

 till, at 3 P.M., the Mu-tan Eapid was reached, which is 

 remarkable only as being the first on the river. Track- 

 ino- on till dark, a small village was reached, where the 



boat was secured for the night. 



D y 



