NEEDLE OF HEAVEN 39 
gradient and ledge, and zig-zagging up in a most 
curious fashion, sometimes making a very wide sweep 
to avoid an overhanging spur or perpendicular surface. 
On attempting it I found that the ascent was very 
tiring, and the descent extremely difficult, if not 
dangerous. 
On April 3 the homeward journey was continued, 
and on landing at a gorge I found that I could ascend 
it and reach some mountains about four miles inland. 
There was, however, too much cultivated land to make 
it worth while to collect, indigenous vegetation being 
found in the glens only. In these are large boulders 
of grey granite and much iron pyrites. The next 
day I collected in such glens as I found accessible, 
and stopped for the night at the village of Nan-too. 
From this place is seen a range of hills, which are made 
very conspicuous by having their front of high white 
cliffs, one being a precipice 2,000 feet deep. The range 
is crowned with many sharp peaks, one of which is 
called by the natives the ‘ Needle of Heaven.’ 
On April 5 Ichang was again reached, and this 
short trip concluded. 
