SUICIDES OF PILGIilMS 171 



there is a statue of Buddlia about fifteen feet high and 

 closed in by curtains, many incense bowls, and other 

 things commonly found in such places. 



There were a large number of pilgrims, who worship 

 at all the temples on the way up. Man}^ tales are told 

 by the priests of tigers carrying off pilgrims, who are 

 never heard of again. All men so carried off are put 

 down as being very wicked. I may add that if this 

 is the case, the tigers on Mount Omt'i differ very much 

 from those in other parts of China that I have been 

 in, for everywhere else a man-eating tiger is unknown. 

 This mountain is considered to be the most holy in 

 China, and many pilgrims commit suicide every year 

 by casting themselves over the precipice. 



The morning of April 13 was beautifully clear, and 

 a splendid view was obtained from the summit. Over 

 the clouds beneath could be seen Mount Wa to the 

 S.S.W., while to the northward of west the snowy range 

 above and beyond Ta-tsien-lu could be seen clearly 

 cut against the sky. The upper surface of the clouds- 

 appeared remarkably level, and the appearance of range 

 after range of mountains showing above them formed a 

 magnificent spectacle. I left the summit at 10 a.m., and 

 soon after got into mist, then rain, and, after having 

 travelled sixty li, reached Chang-lao-ping, still on the 

 mouiltain, and one of the temples of Wan-nien-tze. Here 



