378 MOUNTAIN SCENERY. [Cuar. XX. 
country through which I passed, between the north 
side of the city and the mountains, is chiefly cul- 
tivated with rice, sugar-cane, ginger, and tobacco. 
On the sides of the little hills, and also for a con- 
siderable distance up the loftier ranges, large 
quantities of sweet potatoes and earth-nuts are 
grown during the summer season; but as we 
ascend, the mountains become more rugged, cul- 
tivation ceases, and plants indigenous to the 
country alone show themselves. On my journey 
over these mountains I came to the conclusion that 
their native flora was of an intermediate character 
between those. of the southern and northern 
provinces—the tropical species of the south being 
found in the low lands, and the species of more 
northern latitudes inhabiting the mountains 2000 
or 3000 feet above the level of the sea. In the 
low valleys the Ficus nitida attains a large size, and 
is a great favourite with the inhabitants. It is 
always seen near villages and temples. 
After toiling up one of the celebrated mountain 
passes, which is paved all the way, and has a house 
of refreshment about half way up, I reached the 
summit of the mountain—the highest land in this 
part of China. A glorious prospect was spread 
before me: the valley of the Min stretching far 
across to the other hills; the city of Foo-chow- 
foo, with its pagodas, temples, and watchtowers 
standing in the centre of the plain ; and the broad 
river winding smoothly along in its course to 
the sea; mountain towering above mountain, and 
