104 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



erally enveloped in a skin, in like manner with the whole grain — say of corn ; unless this is 

 ruptured, the grain of starch can be digested no better than the grain of corn when its skin is 

 not broken ; and this is often passed from cattle visibly undigested and unaltered. But as 

 grinding ruptures the skin and breaks down the whole grain of corn, rendering it more digest- 

 ible, and consequently more nutritious, so does boiling or fermentation rupture the pellicle and 

 break down the grain of starch, and renders it, also, more digestible, and, of course, more nutri- 

 tive. 



The beef of this portion of China is coarse and lean ; but, bad as it is, there is not much of it. 

 The lands that might produce good beef by their fertility and moisture, are all under culture ; 

 and the uplands, from the heat of climate and their aridity, can only bear rough innutritious 

 grasses or weeds. 



From Macao the seacoast maintains its mountainous character, with slight modifications 

 towards the northward and eastward as far as Ningpo ; but beyond the high islands about Chu- 

 san, it becomes low and level. This is a portion of the great alluvial plain deposited by the 

 waters of the mighty Tang-tse Kiang. Like the plains near Canton, it is intersected in all 

 directions by canals, which occasionally assume the size and name of rivers. From these, where 

 the tides do not rise sufficiently high for irrigation, water is raised artificially by simple and 

 rude machinery. This consists of a main cog-wheel, worked by oxen, which turns a roller at 

 the upper end of a trough ; at the lower end of which, immersed in the canal, there is another 

 roller, and over these an endless series of wooden boxes revolve. The boxes or boards fitting 

 the trough elevate the water and pour it into the fields, over which it is distributed by open 

 drains. The whole machine is readily moved from place to place, and the trough can be 

 arranged at any angle to suit the inclination of the bank. 



In approaching Shanghai, up the Woosung, in the month of May, the country on either side 

 presents a most luxuriant appearance as far as vision can extend ; and it has as varied and 

 beautiful scenery, probably, as could be obtained on a dead level. This is occasioned by many 

 hamlets and villages being scattered abroad, and environed by large and magnificent trees ; 

 also by multitudes of small mounds, which, together, break the uniformity of surface; and, 

 added to these, the whole country is in a complete state of cultivation. Wheat and barley, 

 near maturity, cover all the land, and spread out mile after mile, without end, and with no 

 fences to interfere with the apparent continuity. It is truly a rich scene. A few laborers may 

 be seen here and there, who seem to be weeding the crops. 



Upon a nearer approach and closer observation, one is greatly disappointed in the anticipated 

 skill and cleanliness of Chinese culture. The land presents a damp, moist, almost sobby 

 state, unsuited to wheat ; and the ground between the rows or drills is almost covered with 

 grass and weeds. Wheat and barley are both in rows, as if drilled, or dibbled, or transplanted. 

 The yield of wheat is by no means equal to what its appearance from a distance would indicate. 

 Its heads are small and lean, and it would probably not exceed ten or fifteen bushels per acre; 

 whereas, on lands of apparent similar quality in the United States and England, the produce 

 would be twice or thrice that quantity. No opportunity occurred of examining its quality at 

 maturity ; but a sample of the preceding year was very inferior — would not have been consid- 

 ered "merchantable" in our country, and yet it was called "good wheat" by a shopman in 

 Shanghai. It was a red sort, not well cleaned, and the grain was small, shrivelled, and light, 

 and withal much weavil-eaten. If such be a fair specimen, there is no wonder that the Chinese 

 do not like it, and greatly prefer their national grain, rice. This is as much preferred by them 



