SPORT AND SCIENCE ON THE 



enormous size. Old trees of this species are 

 greatly venerated by the natives, and frequently 

 little shrines are built into the hollow trunks, 

 while testimonials, written on red calico, are nailed 

 up all over the trees by suppliants, who have re- 

 ceived benefit. This tree casts a delightful shade, 

 and makes a very handsome addition to pleasure 

 grounds. The Chinese also used the wood, though 

 it is soft and not very good. 



The Ch'un Hsu, of which the Chinese distin- 

 guish two varieties, are soft- wooded, rapid-growing 

 trees. The Ch'ow Ch'un (stinking ch'un), known to 

 science as Aliantus glandulosa, is the smaller 

 variety, and is characterized by a very disagreeable 

 odour, while the Hsiang ch'un (sweet-scented 

 ch'un), known as Cedrela odorata^ grows to a large 

 size. The Chinese esteem the tender shoots of 

 the Hsiang ch'un, which they pickle in various 

 ways. These trees seem to be the northern repre- 

 sentatives of the Varnish- trees of the south. In 

 South Shensi a variety grows which, if rubbed 

 against, poisons the skin, producing a running 

 eczema that is very hard to cure. 



The Sycamore (Acer sp.) is another tree which 

 grows on the plains, and is valued for its wood, 

 which being free from knots is largely used in the 

 manufacture of furniture. 



The walnut (Juglans regia sinensis) is also a 

 tree that thrives upon the plains ; but it is also 

 cultivated in some of the mountain valleys, 



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