TUNG-CHOW. 
123 
Presents in return were always acceptable, and sometimes expected ; 
and of these, black-lead pencils, and common English writing-paper, 
were much valued. 
From the gardens I obtained the greater number of the botanical 
specimens that I collected in the neighbourhood of Tung-Chow. 
No country could be more barren in uncultivated plants. The 
species of Polyganum , before-mentioned as growing on the banks of 
the Pei-ho, were here also common, together with the Hibiscus trionum , 
Lycium Chinense *, Tribulus terrestris f , and a species of Artemesia. 
The Sophora japonica% , growing to a large size, was seen in the 
gardens, and often by the road-side, and was obviously prized for its 
beauty. 
The plants cultivated for their esculent or other useful properties, 
were numerous in proportion to those which were wild. As Chinese 
corn, the Holcus sorghum , and a species of Panicum , were the most 
abundant. The former frequently grew to sixteen feet in height. 
Its large bunchy panicles were ripening fast whilst we remained at 
Tung-Chow. The seed of this plant is sown in rows on the margin 
of rivers, in a stiff soil ; and when it begins to rise through the ground, 
the more humble Panicum , which ripens after its tall neighbour is 
cut down, is sown between them. Its seeds are fully developed 
* I have called this plant Chinense because it appears to be the same which has received 
that specific appellation from botanists; but I was entirely unable to observe any difference, 
except in the occasional size of the leaves, between it and Lycium barbarum of Linnaeus. 
It is a most abundant plant on the banks of the rivers in the province of Pe-tchee-lee. 
f This plant is equally abundant on the banks of the Pei-ho and Eu-ho, in the pro- 
vince of Pe-tchee lee. The character, “ foliola sex-jugata,” given to this plant by its 
describers, does not at all apply to it as found by me in the north of China. Like T. 
cistoides, it has always “ foliola octo-jugata,” and only differs from that plant in the small- 
ness of its corolla. 
t Most of the trees which 1 observed in the precincts of Yuen-Ming-Yuen, had 
pinnated leaves, and were, I suspect, chiefly the Sophora japonica. I may here observe, 
that in giving some account of the plants which I found in China, I by no means wish it 
to be understood that I mention all that I either saw or collected. I only name those of 
which I have some memorandum, which I distinctly recollect, or of which I have re- 
covered specimens. 
R 2 
