SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 
this fern exactly resembles the European species. 
Other Cryptogams prevalent in North China 
are the Horsetail (Equisetum), the Liverwort 
(Pellia) and the Selaginella (Selaginella sp.). 
Of the last named there are two species. One, 
resembling the Common British species (8. spinosa), 
grows in damp ravines in the mountains of Shansi. 
The other, a drought-resisting form, grows on 
exposed rock surfaces in the barren Limestone 
mountains bordering the Chihli plain. 
Numerous mosses and lichens grow in the forests 
and mountainous areas. 
In conclusion I would mention the fungi, many 
edible species of which exist. The Mushroom is 
very common, especially upon the Mongolian 
Plateau. It is surprising how many species 
belonging to this genus are eaten by the 
Chinese, who dry them for winter use, and serve 
them up at feasts in a great many ways. The 
poor people in the mountains of Shansi yearly 
make quite a good income by drying and selling 
the various kinds of edible fungi, some of the 
choicer varieties fetching as much as 500 cash 
(over 1s.) per pound. 
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