62 CONTRACT FOR BOAT 
volume very much after passing the entrance, and 
though I made every endeavour to find out something 
about the district in which they are situated, I failed to 
get any reliable information. That an enormous trade 
takes place through them is evident; but as far as I 
could find out, they had not been explored to their 
southern limits by any European for many years, if 
ever, and the rivers running into them run from the 
province of Quei-chow, nearly touching the borders of 
Quang-si and Quang-tung. This is irrespective of the 
province of Hoo-nan, in which the lakes are situated, 
so it is evident that they form a road to the Yang- 
tze-kiang from at least four large provinces. 
On my arrival at Ichang, I commenced by trying 
to find a boat suitable for my purpose to ascend to 
Kia-ting-fu, and having sufficient room for the storage 
of collections, &c. It was soon evident that nothing 
was to be bought that was in any way desirable, and I 
had no intention of hiring, as I wished on arrival at 
the town mentioned to discharge the greater part of 
the crew, and keep the boat afloat as a sort of base to 
which I could send my things as fast as they were col- 
lected. Nothing remained, then, but to have such a boat 
as I required built, and as soon as possible I had rough 
specifications drawn up, and asked contractors to give 
a price. After a fortnight this was to all appearance 
