BOTANY OF HONGKONG (1)
Continuation.
67
From 1843 to 1845 the mortality was very great; whole regiments were nearly swept away, and many of the government officers and merchants shared the same fate. Various opinions were expressed regarding the cause which produced these great disasters. Some said one thing and some others another; almost all seemed to think that imperfect drainage had something to do with it, and a hue and cry was set up to have the island properly drained. But the island is a chain of mountains; there is very little flat ground anywhere upon it, and hence the water which flows from the sides of the hills gushes rapidly down towards the sea. Imperfect drainage, therefore, could have very little to do with its unhealthiness.
"I have always thought that, though various causes may operate to render Hongkong unhealthy, yet one of the principal reasons is the absence of trees and the shade which they afford. In a communication which I had the honour to make to the Government here in 1844, I pointed out this circumstance and strongly recommended them to preserve the wood then growing upon the island from the Chinese who were in the habit of cutting it down annually, and at the same time to plant extensively, particularly on the sides of the roads and on the lower hills. I am happy to say that these recommendations have been carried out to a certain extent, although not so fully as I had wished. It is well known that a healthy vegetation, such as shrubs and trees, decomposes the carbonic acid of the atmosphere and renders it fit for respiration, besides which, there is softness and coolness about trees, particularly in a hot climate, that is always agreeable.
It
2 Many of the inhabitants have taken up the matter with great spirit, and have planted all the ground near their houses. I may instance those of His Excellency the Governor at Spring Gardens, of Messrs. Dent and Co., at 'Green Bank', and of Messrs. Jardine and Matheson at East Point. In order to give some idea of a Hongkong garden, I shall attempt to describe Messrs. Dent's, which was then in the possession and under the fostering care of Mr. Braine.
"This garden is situated on the sloping sides of a valley, near the bottom of one of the numerous ravines which are seen on the sides of the Hongkong Hills. It is near the centre of the new town of Victoria, and is one of the greatest ornaments. On one side, nothing is seen but rugged mountains and barren hills; but here the eye rests upon a rich and luxuriant vegetation, the beauty of which is greatly enhanced by the contrast.
Every one interested in Chinese plants has heard of the late Mr. Beale at Macao, a friend of Mr. Reeves and, like him, an ardent botanical collector.