WAN-HSIEN 83 
This is not the Indian species, as it sends down no 
adventitious roots from its branches, but is a hand- 
some tree with foliage resembling laurel, and is very 
useful from the shade it affords. 
All this part of Sze-chuen is very interesting, and is 
highly cultivated, with a fair population, principally en- 
gaged in farming. Anchored for the night just below 
Wan-hsien, a town on the left bank. On the opposite 
side are two conspicuous pagodas. The river here 
takes a big bend to the 8.S.W., and according to my 
estimate is about a mile wide. The town is half-way 
between Ichang and Chung-king, and is a most pictur- 
esque place. 
At Wan-hsien an English missionary came on board, 
and kindly offered to send any letters I might wish to 
dispatch down by the native post. 
April 9.—Under way at daylight with a favour- 
able but light wind, which soon died away. After 
having made sixty li the boat was secured to the shore 
opposite a small hamlet, no difficult places having been 
passed during the day. 
April 10.—A start was made at daylight as usual, 
the day being fine, but no wind and a strong current 
made hard work for the trackers. It was very hot 
towards the middle of the day, and on landing I found 
some interesting species of plants, which I had not 
e 2 
