52 EDIBLE FUNGUS 
the trunk and limbs, and at the lower end of each is 
inserted the shell of a species of freshwater mussel, into 
which the sap, which is of the consistence of thick 
cream, flows. These are carefully emptied into a 
wooden bucket every morning, and the bleeding is 
continued for about a fortnight. The quantity of sap 
produced from each incision is very small, and it takes 
a long time to half fillthe bucket. The collectors suffer 
from a severe form of rash. This varnish is an article 
of considerable importance, and forms with walnuts, 
which are produced in quantities, and a small quantity 
of opium, the only articles of commerce. Tea of a very 
inferior quality, the commonest pottery, and coarse 
native cotton cloth are the only articles brought into 
this poor and primitive region, where the system of 
barter generally prevails. In this neighbourhood a 
certain species of glutinous-looking fungus is found 
growing in lumps on various sorts of trees in damp 
places, and this is much appreciated as an article of 
food. My coolies collected as much as they could, and 
after consuming what they wished, took the remainder 
to Ichang to give to their friends or to sell. My ex- 
pedition to the south extended over three days, and on 
my return to the house I commenced to make prepara- 
tions for a return to Ichang. I could congratulate 
myself upon having made a very satisfactory collection 
