xxviii 
INTEODUCTION. 
Ni-TOU— This is a small village four days' west of Wa-shan, about half- 
way between Wa-shan and Ta-chien-lu. The mountains surrounding this 
village are comparatively bare of vegetation of a wild character, but maize 
and ditferent cereals are largely cultivated. There is, however, a rocky ravine- 
of great extent, where indigenous plants are found. 
Wa-shan. — The country surrounding this mountain is rocky, and in parts 
there are large isolated knolls covered with trees and underwood. The 
mountain itself is covered on its southern slopes with forest. 
Chia-kou-ho [Chin-kou-ho]. — A small village one day's journey S.E. from 
the foot of Wa-shan, situated in a deep rocky gorge. It is a rich locality for 
insects, but is very hot and stormy in summer. 
HuANG-MU-CHANG. — A scattered village one day's journey N.W. from Wa- 
shan. The surrounding country is undulating and largely under cultivation ; 
but there are coverts of oak and other forest trees here and there, and also 
many species of trees and plants growing on the sides of the rocky ravines. 
AVa-ssu-kow [Wassu]. — A small village, nine hours' journey from Ta- 
chien-lu, situated in a fine gorge at the mouth of the small affluent which 
passes through Ta-chien-lu and discharges its waters into the river Tung. It 
stands at an elevation of 3900 feet above the level of the sea. The mountains 
in this district attain a great altitude, their summits an.d higher spurs being 
covered with perpetual snow, and glaciers may be seen when the valley 
is open. The lower heights are covered with pine-forest, and on the 
precipices in the immediate vicinity of the village grows a species of cactus 
similar to the " prickly pear." 
Ta-citien-lu. — Stands at an altitude of 8500 feet above the sea, and is sur- 
rounded by liigh mountains, which are very rugged and stony and compara- 
tively destitute of vegetation. The whole district appears to have suffered 
greatly from destructive avalanches in former years. 
C'liK-TOU. — A group of Thibetan hamlets situate one day's journey S.W. 
from Ta-chien-lu. Thv, mountains arc covered, in parts, with grass and an 
al)undancc of flowers. There are ])ine-f()rests in the deep valleys. 
