Chap. XVIII. 
THE NELUMBIUM. 
285 
used by all classes of the community. The roots 
attain their largest size at the period when the leaves 
die off ; and are dug up and brought to market during 
the winter months in the north of China. The stalls 
of the greengrocers are always loaded with them at that 
season of the year. Although in high repute amongst 
the natives, being served up with many of their dishes 
and forming part of others, I must say that I never 
liked them, nor are they generally liked by foreigners, 
An excellent description of arrowroot is made from them, 
which is considered equal in quality to that which we 
import from the West Indies. The seeds are also held 
in high estimation ; they are commonly roasted before 
being served up to table. 
In the beginning of September, my two months' 
holiday having expired, I left the islands of the Chusan 
archipelago for the main land. The south-west monsoon 
was nearly over, northerly winds were not unfrequent, 
and the weather was already much cooler. Responsible 
men on whom I could depend, or rather on whom I had 
sufficient checks, were now despatched to the great tea- 
districts of Hwuy-chow and Fokien for collections of 
tea-seeds, and I took up my quarters in the districts 
near Ning-po. On many occasions during these cam- 
paigns I was greatly indebted to the British consuls 
here for much kindness and hospitality — in the first 
instance to the late Mr. Sullivan, and latterly to Mr. 
Brook£ Robertson. There is an excellent garden at the 
Ning-po Consulate, and I often took advantage of it for 
the protection of my plants. 
