Miscellaneous. 



449 



and even fuel, for the grain of the yellow millet ( Syao-mi-tsra ) fur- 

 nishes meal, the only food of the peasants, and chopped straw for the 

 cattle in place of hay, which is never cut, and of the use of which even 

 they have no idea in China. 



It is with the straw of a kind of millet called Gao-lianes, which 

 grows to the height of fifteen feet, that the peasants make fences for 

 their gardens ; they employ it also for fuel in their houses, and to 

 burn bricks. The grain is used instead of oats to feed the mules, and 

 brandy is obtained from it by distillation. 



About 15 li (8 versts) before arriving at the Northern Moun- 

 tains, is seen the little hill Syao-Tan-Chan, composed of compact 

 grey limestone, traversed by veins of quartz, which give it great 

 hardness. This mountain, though of little elevation, deserves par- 

 ticular notice from the existence in its neighbourhood of two hot 

 springs, which burst forth nearly vertically from an unknown depth. 

 These springs, at the distance of a few sag6nes from each other, have 

 different temperatures, one of 40°, the other of 45° Reaumur (122° 

 to 133° F.) The water from these springs flows into basins lined 

 with a masonry of compact limestone, from whence it is conducted 

 by leaden pipes into baths cut in the limestone, and lined with sheets 

 of lead. 



A palace, surrounded by a garden, has been erected near the baths, 

 destined for the imperial family. The stone- wall by which it is en- 

 closed is in a complete state of dilapidation, no repairs having been 

 made there for fifteen years, although the buildings of the Chinese are 

 frequently in need of them. The water is perfectly transparent, and 

 contains no salt in solution. Its use consists in procuring the bathers a 

 copious perspiration. The baths are frequented by many persons of 

 the inferior classes in the spring, who either come there for their 

 health, or merely as an object for an excursion. 



Three li to the west of Syao-Tan-Chan, there is another insulated 

 mountain called Da-Tan-Chan, a little more elevated than the former, 

 and formed like it of compact limestone full of quartz veins. The base 

 of this mountain gives rise to many springs, one of which has a tem- 

 perature of 16° R. (68° F.) and the water is very pure. 



There was formerly at this place an establishment for baths of cold 

 water, but it is now in ruins, as are also the temples which were in the 

 neighbourhood of the spring. In general, the priests of the temples of 

 the religion of Khe-Shan and of Da-o, exercise hospitality. Travellers 

 may always find a lodging with these hermits; it is true that their 

 services must be largely remunerated, but they must of necessity have 



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