SPORT AND SCIENCE ON THE 
Chihli the Cypress (Cupressus sp.) is very common, 
being used chiefly to adorn temples and cemeteries. 
In the wild state it does not attain any great size ; 
but in old temples and official buildings very large 
specimens may often be seen. The wood of this 
tree is used in the manufacture of the more ex- 
pensive coffins, as it is worm-proof and withstands 
the action of moisture longer than any other kinds. 
Mention must be made of the peculiar little 
conifer which we found growing in small dense 
patches at long intervals in the Ordos Desert. 
This resembles the Juniper more than anything 
else, and as already stated is very resinous. . 
The Yew (Taxus sp.) occurs very rarely in North 
China ; the vicinity of Shi-t’ieh near T’ai-yiian Fu 
in Shansi being the only place known to me where 
it. grows. In South Shensi I found it quite abun- 
dant in the Tsing-ling Mountains. 
Though scarcely a gymnosperm, the peculiar 
Maidenhair-tree (Ginkgo biloba) should be men- 
tioned next. This, the only living member of a 
very ancient family, has been preserved in the 
Buddhist Temples of China and Japan. Though 
it is thought that wild trees may exist in Western 
China, none have been discovered so far. There 
are two very fine specimens in the grounds of 
the famous old Temple at Chin-ssii near T’ai-yiian 
Fu in Shansi. The Chinese consider the nuts of 
this tree a delicacy. 
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