1006 
west of the Empire, pine (P. Massoni- 
ana), China fir (Cunninghamia sinensis ), 
cypress (Cupressus funebris), nan-mu 
(Machilus nanmu and allied species) 
(see page 1015), wintergreen (Xylosma 
racemosum) (see page 1008), banyan 
(Ficus infectoria) (see page 1014), and 
a few other kinds of trees are always 
present. Many of these trees are ex- 
tremely rare, except in the precincts of 
these religious sanctuaries. 
The most noteworthy example of this 
is the maiden-hair tree (Ginkgo biloba). 
This strikingly beautiful tree is associ- 
ated with temples, shrines, courtyards of 
palaces, and mansions of the wealthy 
throughout the length and breadth of 
China, and also in parts of Japan. But 
it is nowhere truly wild, being a relic of 
a very ancient flora. Geological evidence 
shows that it is the last survivor of an 
ancient family, which flourished during 
Secondary times, and can even be traced 
back to the Primary rocks. In Mesozoic 
times this family played an important 
part in the arborescent flora of north- 
temperate regions. Fossil remains, al- 
most identical with the present existing 
species, have been found, not only in this 
country and Europe, but also in Green- 
land (see page 1004). 
Though today Chinese gardens, nurs- 
eries, and temple grounds do not contain 
anything new in the way of ornamental 
or economic plants, it was otherwise up 
to the middle of the last century. Our 
early knowledge of the Chinese flora was 
through plants procured from these gar- 
dens, notably those around Canton. 
These plants were brought to Europe by 
trading vessels, especially those of the 
East India Company, at the end of the 
18th and early in the 10th centuries. 
Different patrons of horticultural and 
botanical institutions in England lent as- 
sistance, and collectors were despatched 
to investigate and send home all they 
possibly could. 
By these means our gardens first 
secured the early varieties of roses, ca- 
meliias, azaleas, greenhouse primroses, 
gardenias, moutain pzeonies, chrysanthe- 
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 
mums, etc. It is true we have developed 
most of these almost beyond recognition, 
and the Chinese are acquiring new forms 
and varieties from us, yet without these 
early arrivals from Chinese gardens how 
much poorer our gardens and conserva- 
tories would be today! 
In those days, though only about a 
century ago, that part of the world was 
loosely spoken of as the “Indies,” and 
this geographical blunder is perpetuated 
in the specific name “indica,” given to 
many of these plants. In the middle of 
last century many ornamental plants 
were received from the gardens of 
Japan. Botanists, assuming in ignorance 
that these were natives of the country, 
gave the specific name “japonica” to 
many plants which subsequent knowl- 
edge has conclusively proved to be na- 
tives of China and cultivated only in 
Japan. 
The limited knowledge Occidentals 
have of China and things Chinese has 
been acquired slowly, painfully so. It 
is odd that one of the oldest of civilized 
lands should be almost the last to come 
within reach of the explorer, surveyor, 
and naturalist. The exclusive policy of 
the Chinese has, of course, been mainly 
responsible for this, but Occidental in- 
difference and ignorance have helped. 
Good old Ser Marco Polo told the world 
and our forebears 500 years ago of this 
land, but it is only within the last 50 
years that the world has begun to listen 
and believe this wonderful traveler of 
old! 
Our knowledge of the marvelous rich- 
ness of the Chinese flora has been very 
slowly built up. Travelers, missionaries 
of all denominations, merchants, consuls, 
maritime customs officials, and all sorts 
and conditions of people have added 
their quota; but, as in geography and 
other departments of knowledge relating 
to the Far East, the Roman Catholic 
priests have done most. ‘The exclusive 
policy of the Chinese has necessarily in- 
creased the difficulties, and all honor is 
due to the workers in the past. 
Robert Fortune, in the forties and fit- 
ties of last century, on behalf of the 
