22 



more expensive here than in America. They cost about 16 cents gold a lb., 

 I think* 



Nov. IS. Mailed box no, 464, a total of 250 boxes during my second 

 year of collecting, and 214 for the first, since returning to West China from 

 furlough* This last year has been, and may be in the future, my record year 

 in collecting and forwarding specimens ♦ 



I have now on hand several boxes of fish and turtles that are not pickled 

 enough to be forwarded. Yang and Ho are collecting on Mt. Omei, and no doubt 

 have some specimens* 



Since September 10 it has been cloudy and rained almost continually, thus 

 handicapping us in the work of collecting. 



A t present many fish are being brought in by the fishermen. 

 There is a kind of eel that the natives call a white eel that is rare and 

 expensive here. I am trying to get a specimen. 



Nov. 14. Secured two ducks, one a spoonbill, and another owl. 

 Yesterday I purchased a rabbit, Mammal No. 315. It is so shot to pieces that 

 the skin looks badly. 



The carpenter who went with me to Mupin last year wants to go to 

 Tatsienlu next year. I am beginning to teach him how to skin birds and mammals. 



Nov. 15. The hunters are bringing in strange birds as rapidly as one 



* S 



could secure them on an expensive hunting trip. The fact that there are many 

 hunters hunting all the time, and odd birds are brought to me. It is really a 

 cheaper way to get them than to hunt them myself. The hunters are trying to 

 raise the prices, and may discontinue bringing specimens if I do not. 



