Cuar. X.] POO-TO-SAN. 181 
natural beauties and richness of vegetation. I was 
also informed that the resident priests were fond of 
collecting plants, particularly Orchidacee, and that 
their collections were much increased by the itiner- 
ant habits of the begging priests, who visit the 
most distant provinces of the empire, as well as by 
the donations of the lay devotees, who come to 
Poo-to at stated seasons of the year, to worship and 
leave their offerings in the temples. I therefore deter- 
mined to visit the place in order to judge for myself, 
and accordingly set out in July, 1844, accompanied 
by my friend, Dr. Maxwell, of the Madras army. 
Leaving Chusan at night, with the tide in our 
favour, we reached the island at sun-rise on the fol- 
lowing morning. We landed, and pursued our 
way over a hill and down on the other side by a 
road which led us into a beautiful and romantic 
glen. It is here that the principal group of temples 
is built, and when we first caught a glimpse of them, 
as we wended our way down the hill, they seemed 
like a town of considerable size. As we approached 
nearer, the view became highly interesting. In 
front there was a large artificial pond, filled with 
the broad green leaves and noble red and white 
flowers of the Nelumbium speciosum, — a plant in 
high favour with theChinese. Every body whowent 
to Poo-to admired these beautiful water-lilies. In 
order to reach the monastery we crossed a very or- 
namental bridge built over this pond, which, when 
viewed in a line with an old tower close by, has a 
pretty and striking appearance. 
n 3 
