42 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
8,500 feet, at the foot of which is a large lake called Lake La-hsi, in an 
air-line of some twenty miles is the summit. This is formed by a 
series of jagged-edged peaks several miles in extent, trending north- 
westwards. Just south of the highest point the range is cleft in two 
for fully half its breadth by a stupendous gorge,the upper end of which 
is formed by a series of precipices falling from the extreme height of 
the main peak to 10,000 or 11,000 feet. The entrance to the gorge, 
about a mile and a half in breadth, is flanked by cliffs 3,000 to 
4,000 feet sheer, gradually rising towards the upper end. In length 
it is about six miles. From the main peaks several glaciers fall into 
it, huge moraines almost dam it at several points, and along the base 
of the flanking cliffs are continuous and extensive screes fed by the 
debris from the limestone cliffs above. The centre of the gorge is 
occupied by a snow-fed torrent, of milky whiteness from the lime 
carried in solution. The floor of the valley is clothed by forests of 
Conifers, principally Picea yunnanensis and others of the same genus, 
and Tsuga yunnanensis, whilst higher up the cliffs, wherever a suffi- 
ciently broad ledge gives footing, are clumps and solitary specimens 
of A hies Delavayi. Much of this forest is gradually being engulfed by 
the scree debris ; in some places I noted quite an appreciable difference 
in three years. 
In the forest and by the stream are a multitude of fine shrubs. 
Of Lonicera one fine new species was found, L. xerocalyx ; others were 
L. Maackii f. podocarpa, L. Henryi, and the beautiful dwarf form of 
L. ligustrina, named yunnanensis. The last is not an imposing shrub 
in flower, but produces, in abundance, beautiful purple-blue fruits, 
and the small Buxus-like foliage has a charming appearance and is 
persistent. The best form of Rosa sericea, viz. pteracantha, is plentiful, 
striking alike in its large crimson armature and orange and red fruits. 
Of Tilia, Acer, Prunus, Pyrus, and Sorbus there are many species, 
Sorbus Wilsoniana and Pyrus yunnanensis being two of the finest. 
The latter forms a shapely tree or shrub of 20 to 50 feet, handsome 
in flower and fruit, and showing wonderful coloration in the foliage 
as autumn approaches. Following the first frosts, I know of nothing to 
equal the tints seen in the foliage of Sorbus Wilsoniana. Each tree 
stands out like a crimson plume, visible at quite a distance against 
the dark background of pines. It is a most graceful shrub, 20 to 40 
feet high, with delicately-cut foliage and pinkish-white fruits. Another 
excellent shrub with even finer foliage and larger pure white fruits, 
but of stiff er and more inelegant form, is Sorbus Vilmorinii. Ligustrum 
ionandrum is another new species of fine compact form and small, 
slightly coriaceous foliage. Of Berberis there are many species, and 
the same of such genera as Deutzia, Cotoneaster, Philadelphus, 
Hydrangea, Helwingia, Lespedeza, Leptodermis (L. Forrestii is a new 
species with beautiful lavender flowers, very large for the genus) j 
and many Gaultherias and Vacciniums. The dwarf Vaccinium fragile 
is in abundance on the forest margins, its beautiful foliage and pink 
flowers showing to great advantage. It fruits freely, and the purple- 
