116 CLIMATE AT TA-TIEN-CHIH 



Two pairs of these were brought to me ahve, having 

 been snared by the leg, and I purchased them for 1,000' 

 cash, or about three shiUings. There are also two 

 species of pigeons resembling the blue rock, and living 

 among the cliffs. Of the smaller species I shot several 

 for food, but the larger variety was much more wild 

 and difficult to get near. The district appears to be 

 rich in botanical treasures. Quantities of fine wild 

 strawberries were brought in by the boys at times ; so- 

 many, in fact, that my cook made jam of them. Two- 

 sorts of raspberries and gooseberries are also found 

 growing wild, and were often brought to the mission 

 house. Very beautiful wild roses grew, the most 

 remarkable being with a dark red bloom. 



Towards the end of May the weather was very 

 changeable, with a good deal of rain, and sometimes it 

 was very cold, much the same sort of climate as I found 

 at Chang-yang at the same time last year. The four 

 seasons are more clearly marked than in the lower 

 parts of China. 



June 10 being a fine warm day, almost the first 

 that we had had, I ascended the first base, if I may so 

 call it, of Mount Wa, and on proceeding to examine its 

 southern slopes I found them covered with virgin forest. 

 The weather had been cold, and no butterflies to speak 

 of were seen ; it was too early for them. It being a 



