THE STORY OF THE DAVIDIA 285 



open and I rushed to greet two men, Messrs. Carey 

 and Williams, who with rare forethought of my lone- 

 liness had ridden from Szemao to bid me welcome. 



The next day we rode quietly into Szemao and I 

 took up quarters in a house engaged for me next 

 door to the Custom House. Dr. Henry was away 

 botanizing when I arrived but returned early in the 

 evening and our meeting was hearty and cordial. 

 During the next few days this gentleman laid bare 

 for my benefit his vast store of knowledge of the flora 

 of China and from his notebooks furnished me with 

 exact information as to the locality of the Davidia in 

 particular and many other plants in general. 



My stay at Szemao was profitable and as pleasant 

 as hospitable friends could possibly make it, but was 

 cut short by Dr. Henry receiving orders to repair 

 to Mengtsze and relieve Mr. Spinney. I returned 

 with him and leaving Szemao on October 16th safely 

 reached Mengtsze on the evening of November 2d. 

 The country was in a very disturbed state and oppo- 

 sition to the French railway most marked. Being in 

 blissful ignorance, all murmurings and grumblings left 

 me unaffected, but my companion — fully conversant 

 with the language — endured some anxiety. 



I left Mengtsze on November 13th well primed 

 with valuable information from Dr. Henry and 



