52 EDIBLE FUNGUS 



the trunk and limbs, and at the lower end of each is 

 inserted the shell of a species of freshwater mussel, into 

 which the sap, which is of the consistence of thick 

 cream, flows. These are carefullj?' emptied into a 

 wooden bucket every morning, and the bleeding is 

 continued for about a fortnight. The quantity of sap 

 produced from each incision is very small, and it takes 

 a long time to half fill the bucket. The collectors suffer 

 from a severe form of rash. This varnish is an article 

 of considerable importance, and forms with walnuts, 

 which are produced in quantities, and a small quantity 

 of opium, the only articles of commerce. Tea of a very 

 inferior quality, the commonest pottery, and coarse 

 native cotton cloth are the only articles brought into 

 this poor and primitive region, where the system of 

 barter generally prevails. In this neighbourhood a 

 certain species of glutinous-lookir^g fungus is found 

 growing in lumps on various sorts of trees in damp 

 places, and this is much appreciated as an article of 

 food. My coolies collected as much as they could, and 

 after consuming what they wished, took the remainder 

 to Icliang to give to their friends or to sell. My ex- 

 pedition to the south extended over three days, and on 

 my return to the house I commenced to make prepara- 

 tions for a return to Ichang. I could congratulate 

 myself upon having made a very satisfactory collection 



