94 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. YI. 
onwards, the road gradually winds round the base of the 
hills, and another valley, as pretty as the last, opens up 
to view. Thus, like a splendid panorama, picture after 
picture is presented to the eye, painted by the hand of 
nature beautiful and perfect, 
f There is more tea grown on Silver Island than on any 
\ of the other islands in the Chusan archipelago. The 
greater part of what is not consumed by the natives is 
sent over to Ning-po and Chapoo for home consumption 
or for exportation to the Straits. Although good tea, it 
is not prepared in a manner to suit the English or 
\ American markets. The tallow-tree (Stillingia sebifera) 
l and the "Tung-eau" {Dryandra cordata, Thunberg) 
' both produce articles of export. The former is well 
known to produce the tallow and oil so much in use 
in China ; the latter furnishes a valuable oil which is 
used in mixing with the celebrated varnish of the 
1 country, and hence this tree is often called the varnish- 
1 tree. 
Having procured a collection of the seeds of these 
useful trees, as well as a large quantity of tea-seeds, I 
had the whole of them carefully packed, and left 
Silver Island for Shanghae, via Chapoo. This route, 
which I opened some years ago, is now commonly used 
by foreigners travelling between the two northern ports, 
and, although not provided for in the "treaty,"' is not 
objected to by the Chinese authorities. The consuls of 
different nations and their families, merchants, and 
missionaries, all avail themselves of it; and when we 
consider the number of foreigners in Shanghae, an outlet 
such as this seems absolutely necessary. All acknow- 
