26 FLOATING LAMPS 
the river, and consist simply of a cup with a little oil, 
into which a wick extends. The wicks are formed of 
the pith of a rush which is found higher up the river, 
the trade in which is considerable and the mode of 
transport curious. Several boats being lashed together, 
huge stacks of the pith, packed in bales, are built upon 
them until the structure is the size of a good large 
house. They are then floated down the stream, and the 
wonder of a stranger on first seeing such a floating pile 
is exercised as to what it can possibly be. 
The illustration is taken from a photograph of 
Ichang when the river was low. The flagstaff shows 
the position of the British Consulate, to the left is the 
Chinese city, and in front are to be seen the caves 
mentioned in this chapter, in which the beggars make 
their dwelling. 
