CuAr. VII. 
TREES AND SHRUBS. 
103 
clumps of the bamboo growing round all the villages and 
small farm-houses, which give a kind of tropical character 
to the scenery, but it is the only type of the tropics met 
with in this district, at least as regards trees. I have 
already mentioned the clumps of cypress and pine trees 
planted in the cemeteries of the rich, which are seen 
studded all over the country, and form one of its most 
striking features. Among these, I met for the first time 
with the beautiful Cryptomeria japonica, a species 
of pine not unlike the Araumrias of Norfolk Island 
and Brazil. When growing luxuriantly it is highly 
ornamental, rising from the ground as straight as a larch, 
and sending out numerous side branches almost hori- 
zontally from the main stem, which again droop towards 
the ground in a graceful and "weeping^' manner. The 
wood of the tree has a kind of twisted grain, and 
possesses great strength and durability. It is highly 
valued by the Chinese, and from its beauty and straight- 
ness is often used by the mandarins and priests for those 
long poles which are generally seen in front of their 
houses and temples. It is also well known and highly ' 
prized by the natives of Japan. 
The only tree which I met with of very large size in ; 
this district is the Salishuria adiantifolia, commonly ' 
called the Maiden-hair tree, from the resemblance its 
leaves bear to a fern of that name. This is one of the 
plants which the Chinese are fond of dwarfing, and it is, 
consequently, often seen in that state in their gardens. 
Its fruit is sold in the markets in all Chinese towns by 
the name of " Pa-kwo,'" and is not unlike dried almonds, 
only whiter, fuller, and more round. The natives seem 
