IMPORTS 17 
these consist largely of rhubarb, of which a great 
quantity goes to Europe, and the remainder of elk 
horns, dried centipedes, pey-mou, and Tchéng-Tsiio. 
All these latter are used exclusively by the Chinese, 
and the last-named is a most curious plant, growing at 
a great elevation in the eastern part of Tibet. It has a 
single spathe-shaped leaf about three inches long, and 
the root bears the most extraordinary resemblance to a 
caterpillar, all the segments, legs, eyes, &c. being faith- 
fully represented. 
Large quantities of raw silk also pass through on 
the way to Shanghai, and a considerable quantity of 
musk. 
There is a large import trade of Manchester goods, 
cotton, long-cloth, figured prints, and velveteen. These 
arrive in bulky bales, and are here examined by the 
Custom House officials. They are then made up in 
smaller packages more suitable for the up-country 
transport. Quicksilver is also imported in heavy iron 
bottles for use in the silver mines of Yunnan. There 
is a fine new China merchants’ ‘go-down’ where all 
these articles may be seen. 
The time of arrival of a steamer from Hankow is, in 
the winter and spring, when the river is low, very un- 
certain, the navigation being difficult owing to the 
channels constantly changing, more particularly at 
c 
