Chap. XI. FIRST VIEW OF THE BOHEA MOUNTAINS. 171 
CHAPTER XI. 
First View of the Bohea Mountains — Mountain Pass — A noble 
Fir-Tree — Its Name and History — Flora of the Mountains — 
New Plants — Source of the Kiver Min — Entertainment for 
Man and Beast — A rugged Road and another Pass — A Gale 
amongst the Mountains — An amusing old Chinawoman — 
Sugar and Tea-spoons — A kind Landlord — The Tein-sin — 
Arrive at the City of Tsong-gan-hien — Its Situation, Size, and 
Trade — Tea-farms. 
NoTHifTG occurred during the night to disturb our slum- 
bers, and mine were as sound and peaceful as if I had 
been in " the old house at home." When morning 
dawned we had an early breakfast and proceeded on our 
journey. One of the grandest sights I had ever beheld 
was now awaiting me. For some time past I had been, 
as it were, amongst a sea of mountains, but now the far- 
famed Bohea ranges lay before me in all their grandeur, 
with their tops piercing through the lower clouds, and 
showing themselves far above them. They seemed to 
be broken up into thousands of fragments, some of 
which had most remarkable and striking outlines. It is 
difficult to form an estimate of their height, but, com- 
paring them with other mountains known to me, the 
highest here may be six or eight thousand feet above 
the level of the sea. There are some spots on the sides 
of the lower hills under cultivation, but all above these is 
rugged and wild, 
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