NEEDLE OF HEAVEN 39 



gradient and ledge, and zig-zagging up in a most 

 curions fashion, sometimes making a very wide sweep 

 to avoid an overhanging spur or perpendicular surface. 

 On attempting it I found that the ascent was very 

 tiring, and the descent extremely difficult, if not 

 dangerous. 



On April 3 the homeward journey was continued, 

 and on landing at a gorge I found that I could ascend 

 it and reach some mountains about four miles inland. 

 There was, however, too much cultivated land to make 

 it worth Avliile to collect, indigenous vegetation being 

 found in the glens only. In these are large boulders 

 of grey granite and much iron pyrites. The next 

 day I collected in such glens as I found accessible, 

 and stopped for the night at the village of Nan-too. 

 From this place is seen a range of hills, which are made 

 very conspicuous by having their front of high white 

 cliffs, one being a precipice 2,000 feet deep. The range 

 is crowned with many sharp peaks, one of which is 

 called by the natives the ' Needle of Heaven.' 



On April 5 Ichang was again reached, and this 

 short trip concluded. 



