IMHODUCTION. xxvu 
various collecting-stations, most of which arc indicated on the map 
accompanying his woriv referred to above : — 
CENTRAL CHINA. 
KiUKiAXG. — The country in the neighbourhood of this town is flat, and the 
cultivation of rice is largely carried on. About nine miles S.S.W. are the 
Lu-shan hills. On tlie south side of the range there are pine-woods in places, 
and the northern portion of Lake Poyang reaches the foot of these hills. 
There are many small ravines, with a growth of underwood on their steep 
rocky sides. Among the wild flowers, lilies, wistaria, and red and white 
gardenias grow in luxuriant profusion. There are several temples in these 
hills, each suiTounded by trees. In May and June the rainfall is very 
heavy. 
IcHAXG. — The district around this town is mountainous but barren ; there 
are, however, a few clumps of bamboo in places. The climate is much the 
same as that of Kiukiang, but there is perhaps less rain. 
CiiAXG-YAXG. — This locality is about three days' joui-ney south of Ichang. 
The country is mountainous, and intersected by gorges many hundred feet 
deep. The north sides of the mountains are clothed with dense virgin forest, 
but the southern slopes are principally covered with grass and small under- 
growth. Pratt collected here in 1S8S, from April to August inclusive, at 
elevations ranging from 4000 to GOOO feet ; and natives earned on the work 
during the following year, forming a Aery large collection. 
Ship-t-shan. — A village about fifteen miles from Ichang, situated on the 
right bank of the river and at the upper extremity of the gorge. 
WESTERN CHINA. 
Omei-shan. — ^The collecting-station here was situated about halfway up the 
mountain at an elevation of 5000 feet and surrounded by subtropical vege- 
tation — many species of fine trees and evergreen shrubs. From Chia-ting-f u , 
which is two days' distant, it is approached through a very fertile vaUey. 
