192 



THE EUELLIA. 



Chap. IX. 



soutliern portions of the United States of America. 

 In the province of Chekiang the maximum sum- 

 mer heat is from 90° to 100° in the shade, but 

 only a few days in the months of July and August 

 so high ; in winter the thermometer (Fahr.) is 

 rarely so low as 20°. Those interested in this 

 matter may consult my ' Wanderings in China,' 

 and ' Journey to the Tea Countries,' for fuller 

 accounts of the climate of this part of China. With 

 regard to soil and situation, it should be remarked 

 that these trees invariably grow in a rich yellow 

 loam on the slopes of the hills. 



I have succeeded in introducing the mow-chok 

 to India, and at no very distant day it may be 

 seen flourishing on the slopes of the Himalaya in 

 the north-western provinces, where the bamboos 

 are very inferior. Several plants were also sent 

 to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of 

 India, and reached Calcutta in good condition. 



Amongst the other productions of these high- 

 land valleys, the ruellia^ formerly noticed, is cul- 

 tivated extensively for the blue dye which it affords. 

 During the season of its preparation every moun- 

 tain-stream is coloured and polluted with the 

 refuse liquid drawn off from the tanks, and the 

 stench which fills the air is almost unendurable. 



We travelled about thirty le — eight or ten miles 

 — across these mountains, which brought us to a 

 little village named Le-tsun, where large quantities 

 of the blue dye just noticed are grown and manu- 

 factured. This little highland village is situated 



