72 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. V. 
the stamens, for they were both semi-double worthless 
kinds. 
The gardens of the mandarins in the city of Ning-po 
are very pretty and unique ; they contain a choice 
selection of the ornamental trees and shrubs of China, 
and generally a considerable number of dwarf trees. 
Many of the latter are really curious, and afford another 
example of the patience and ingenuity of this people. 
Some of the specimens are only a few inches high, and 
yet seem hoary with age. Not only are they trained to 
represent old trees in miniature, but some are made to 
resemble the fashionable pagodas of the country, and 
others different kinds of animals, amongst which the 
deer seems to be the favourite. Junipers are generally 
chosen for the latter purpose, as they can be more 
readily bent into the desired form ; the eyes and tongue 
are added afterwards, and the representation altogether 
is really good. One of the mandarins of Ning-po, anxious, 
I suppose, to confer some mark of especial favour upon 
me, presented me with one of these animals, — plants, I 
should say ; — but as it was of no real use to me, and as 
my collections of other things were large, I was obliged 
to decline his present, which he evidently considered 
of great value, and no doubt wondered at my want of 
taste. 
Another example will show the passion which exists 
amongst the Chinese for things of this kind. When I 
was travelling on the hills of Hong-kong, soon after my 
first arrival in China, I met with a most curious dwarf 
Lycopodium, which I dug up and carried down to 
Messrs. Dent's garden, where my other plants were at 
