Chap. XIII. 



BAMBOO WOODS. 



277 



Leaving the temple of Tsan-tsingy our way led up 

 a steep pass, paved with granite stones. On each 

 side of the road were forests of fine bamboos — the 

 variety called by the Chinese Maou, the finest I 

 ever saw. The forests are very valuable, not only 

 on account of the demand for the full-grown bam- 

 boos, but also for the young shoots, which are dug 

 up and sold in the markets in the early part of the 

 season. Here, too, were dense woods of Crypto- 

 meria, Cunninghamia lanceolata, oaks, chesnuts, and 

 such like representatives of a cold or temperate 

 climate. 



On the road up the mountain pass I met long 

 trains of coolies, heavily laden with bamboos, and 

 on their way to the plains. The weight of the 

 loads which these men carry is perfectly astonish- 

 ing ; even little boys were met carrying loads 

 which I found some difSculty in lifting. All these 

 people are accustomed to this work from their 

 earliest years, and this is no doubt one of the 

 reasons why they are able to carry such heavy 

 loads. 



This fine bamboo may be regarded as a staple 

 production amongst these mountains, and one of 

 great value to the natives. In the spring and 

 early summer months its young shoots furnish a 

 large supply of food of a kind much esteemed by 

 the Chinese. At that time of the year the same 

 long trains of coolies which I had just met carry- 

 ing the trees, may then be seen loaded with the 

 young shoots. The trees in the autumn and the 



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