28 



WILD FLOWEES. 



Chap. TI. 



sima were still hanging on the bushes, while 

 several species of wild roses, Spiroea Reevesiana, 

 clematises, and Glycine sinensis, were just coming 

 into bloom. But look a little higher up to that 

 gorgeously painted hill-side, and see those masses 

 of yellow and white flowers ; what are they ? 

 The yellow is the lovely Azalea sinensis, with its 

 colours far more brilliant, and its trusses of flowers 

 much larger, than/ they are ever seen in any of our 

 exhibitions in Europe. The white is the little- 

 known Amelanchier racemosa. Amongst these, 

 and scattered over the hill-sides, are other azaleas, 

 having flowers of many different hues, and all 

 very beautiful. It is still early morning ; the sun 

 is just appearing on the tops of the eastern moun- 

 tains ; the globules of heavy dew sparkle on the 

 grass and flowers ; the lark and other sweet song- 

 sters of the feathered race are pouring out of their 

 little mouths sweet and melodious songs. I looked 

 with delight on the beautiful scene spread out 

 before me, and thought within myself, if Nature is 

 so beautiful now, what must it have been before 

 the Fall, when man was holy ! 



As I approached Ayuka's temple I observed 

 other roads leading to the same point, crowded 

 with people such as I have already described, all 

 hurrying on to pay their vows at the altars of 

 Buddha. The scenery in front of the temple, 

 although in a ruinous condition now, at some 

 former time was no doubt very pretty. Entering 

 through an ancient gateway, a paved path led 



