Chap. IX. 



JOUENEY TO THE SNOWY VALLEY. 



171 



CHAPTEK IX. 



Journey to the Snowy Valley and waterfalls — Kong-k'liow pagoda — 

 Adventure with a blind man — Elaborate carving — A new acquaint- 

 ance, Mr. A-chang — Iron-ore — Mountain stream — Its rafts and 

 cormorants — The temple of the Snowy Valley — Description of the 

 falls — Our dinner and guests — How Mr. A-chang enjoys it — His 

 lecture on medical botany and lucky spots for graves — A Buddhist 

 recluse — Continue our journey across the mountains — Natural 

 productions — Fine variety of bamboo — Its introduction to India 

 — Eomantic glen — Arrive at our boats and bid adieu to Mr. 

 A-chang. 



During my travels in the province of Chekiang 

 I had frequently heard of some celebrated water- 

 falls near a place named Seue-tow-sze, or the 

 " Snowy Valley Temple," which is situated amongst 

 the mountains some forty or fifty miles to the 

 south-west of the city of Ningpo. Having not 

 been in this direction, and being anxious to ex- 

 amine the natural productions of these hills, I 

 determined on paying a visit to the falls. 



Leaving Ningpo about mid-day, with the first 

 of the flood-tide, a party of English gentlemen and 

 myself sailed rapidly up the river in some small 

 country boats which we had hired for the journey. 

 The country through which we passed, and which 

 may be called the plain of Ningpo, is perfectly 

 level, and is not remarkable for any striking fea- 

 ture ; but it is exceedingly fertile and produces 



