34 SOAP TREES 
inhabited by numerous species of birds, amongst 
which pigeons and several kinds of thrush were most 
common. 
The ground beneath these creepers forms a favourite 
playground for native children, who carry off the seeds 
for playthings. Near this a species of soap tree grows, 
and attains a height of seventy or eighty feet, with a 
girth of about six feet. Its foliage resembles that of the 
commion ash, but is of a darker green, with the leaves 
not so pointed. The useful part is the pod, which is 
gathered, stored, and used, without any further prepara- 
tion, in the same way and for the same purpose as soap 
is used. These pods are of a dark-brown colour, and 
about six inches long. A more highly prized pod is 
produced on the mountains, and this is shorter but 
thicker than that grown on the plains. The tree pro- 
ducing it appears to be a species of acacia, judging 
from the leaf and flower, the latter being yellow. Care 
must be taken when using this natural soap that the 
hands are free from cuts or abrasions, for it finds these 
out at once and causes intense pain. For the same 
reason it cannot be used for the face, as if a particle 
enters the eye it is at least half an hour before the pain 
is got rid of. 
Passing up the river, I now entered the Ichang 
Gorge, where the scenery is magnificeut. Instead of 
