28. Plants and seeds were sent out to 44 recipients whose names follow:-
Alabaster, H. Bangkok; plants.
Armstrong, J. M.; plants.
Boehmer, L. Yokohama; 1 wardian case plants.
Brett, H. P., Brisbane; 1 wardian case plants.
Bunting, J., Yokohama; seeds.
Burdon, Mrs.; plants.
Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, J. Pink, Director; 2 wardian
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cases plants.
Capetown, Professor Macowan, Director;
seeds.
Grahamstown, E. Tidmarsh, Director;
seeds.
Jamaica, D. Morris, M.A. ; Director; seeds. Mauritius, J. Horne, r.L.s., Director; seeds. Saigon, B. Martin, Director; bulbs. Singapore, N. Cantley, F.L.S., Superin- tendent; seeds & 1 wardian case plants. Royal, Calcutta, Dr. King, LL.D., Super- intendent; seeds & 2 wardian cases plants.
Ceylon, Dr. Trimen, F.L.S., Director; seeds. Kew, Sir Joseph D. Hooker, C.B., K.O.S.I., &c., Director; seeds, herbarium spe- cimens & 6 wardian cases plants.
Chalmers, Dr., plants. Chang Mai Wun; seeds.
Chow Chee Bee; plants.
Colonial Secretary, Fiji; seeds.
Cooper, W. M., Ningpo; plants. Cox, J. S.; pine trees.
Dickie, H.; plants.
His Excellency Thomas de Souza Rosa, Governor of Macao;
plants and seeds.
Hance, Dr. F.L.S. Canton; plants. Hirst, C.; pine trees.
Ho Kai, Dr.; pine trees.
Holmes, H. J.; pine trees. Hutchison, J. D.;. plants.
Kopsch, H., Pakboi; 1 wardian case plants. Loureiro, J. da S.; plants.
Lucas, A., Mauritius; seeds.
Maharajah of Johore, H. E.; 1 wardian case plants. Marsh, Mrs.; plants.
Moody, H. N.; pine trees. Nowrojee, D.; pine trees. Perry, W. W., R.N.; bulbs. Romano, A. G.; plants. Sargent, Mrs. ; plants.
Scott, Captain, S. S. Lennox; plants. Stephens, M. J. D.; plants.
St. John's Cathedral; plants. Treacher, Mrs., Borneo; plants.
BOTANICAL INVESTIGATION AND PLANT COLLECTING.
29. In the month of August, accompanied by the Rev. E. FABER, I visited the Lo-fau-shan mountains, situated about 12 miles north of the East River and 50 miles distant from Canton, for the purpose of making an exploration and collection of its rich and interesting botanical treasures which had been repeatedly reported by travellers to exist there in abundance.
30. Having learnt from past experiences the advantages which the natives will take of a foreigner's helplessness if assistance is required to transport either himself or his baggage &c., I took the pre- caution of having several men from our regular staff with me, the wisdom of which was proved by subsequent events. As it transpired the presence of these men enabled me to take a very independent position when additional bearers were required, and their usual extortionate demands, were made. It was possible eventually to secure carriers at rates which were not excessively exorbitant. The passage from Canton to Sheklung was made in an ordinary Chinese passenger boat, the accommodation, which would be by no means pleasant for a lengthy journey, can be put up with for a short distance. From Whampoa to Sheklung the country is flat and well cultivated. Near Whampoa the crops consist chiefly of paddy, which, as we approach Sheklung, is replaced with sugar-cane (Sorghum). After disembarking in pouring rain at the busy town of Sheklung Mr. FABER and myself decided to make our way at once for the Lo-fau mountains and leave all baggage to be brought on by the coolies as quickly as they could follow us. The way, road it could not be called, lay across 12 or 14 miles of flat land, generally rice fields, over which we had to travel on intricate paths, as slippery as if they were greased, often not more than a foot wide, and standing a few inches only above the water with which the fields were inundated. We arrived at the foot of the hills in the evening and there, in a monastery, awaited the arrival of the coolies, who had all cur clothing, provisions and other necessaries with them. However, as it turned out, the men did not arrive until after dark on the following day, the difficulties of the road having been too great for them to make a quicker journey, I need not describe the discomfort which Mr. FABER and myself had endured in the long and anxious waiting for their arrival. We would have sent a messenger back to ascertain the cause of the delay, but it was impossible to hire a man, the excuses made being that the people were all too busy with their crops.
31. Having secured the use of a room in the Wong Lung Kun monastery, situated at about 600 feet altitude, a commencement was made the following day of the examination and collection of the mountain plants. As soon as the locality accessible from this station was systematically botanized a move was made to another centre, and so on successively to the end of the time. The highest station was 3,100 feet above sea level,. from this I ascended the loftiest peak, which was found to be about 3,500 feet above sea level. The total number of stations staid at was six.
32. On the mountains themselves there is but very little cultivation, and what there is exists only to a very small extent close to the monasteries.. On account of the steepness of the hills it could scarcely be otherwise. However, after ascending to a pass, 1,200 feet altitude, near the Cha Shan monastery, the road descended until it reached 800 feet above sea level, and on the side of the road there is a considerable amount of cultivated land forming, with the hills rising on all sides to from
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