Crap. IL] FRUIT TREES. 25 
Although there are many more species of shrubs 
and trees indigenous to Hong-kong, yet after all the 
island has a barren and desolate appearance. 
The nature of the soil will always be a great barrier 
in the way of any improvement in this state of 
things ; but even this, to a certain extent at least, 
may be overcome by the liberality of the Govern- 
ment, or even by the energy and taste of private 
individuals, and Hong-kong or Victoria may be- 
come in a few years very different from what it now 
is. We have only to look at what has been done 
as an earnest of what may follow. Trees lately 
planted are already growing beautifully in the 
grounds of Messrs. Dents, the Honourable Major 
Caine, Messrs. Jardine, and Messrs. Matheson, and 
at Mr. Stewart’s, a considerable way up the hill. 
The island is not rich in indigenous animals. 
I have frequently seen wild goats feeding in the 
most inaccessible parts of the rocky crags; there 
are also deer and foxes, but these are extremely 
rare. ‘The only animals of the feathered tribe one 
meets with are, two or three species of king-fishers, 
some small singing birds and a few wood-pigeons 
where there are any trees or bushes to shelter 
them. The main land is much better stocked with 
birds. From thence the natives bring to the market 
large quantities of pheasants, partridges, quail, 
ducks, teal, and sometimes woodcocks and snipes. 
These birds are seldom seen wild amongst the 
mountains of Hong-kong, and when they are, they 
have only accidentally strayed from the main land. 
c 4 
