Page:L. Richard's ... Comprehensive geography of the Chinese empire and dependencies ... translated into English, revised and enlarged (IA lrichardscompreh00rich).pdf/30

4 clearly indicated, by the general direction of the great rivers. But it has not always been thus. Many actual mountain-masses : Tibet, Szechw'an, Yünnan, were once great table-lands, that sloped in course of time to the East. It is thus that the same layer of rocks is found in the sea, on the coasts of Tongking, and at an elevation of 6500 ft. in Yünnan and Szechwan. Other parts, now immense plains, were formerly mountains, but the unceasing action of alluvion-charged rivers, and sand-laden winds gradually filled up the valleys, leaving nothing henceforth emerging but the highest peaks. The table-lauds were also vigourously attacked by the combined action of climate and water which constantly eroded and disintegrated them. Mighty glaciers, like those nowadays in Tibet and Eastern Turkestan, dug out deep valleys; long frosts rent the rocks; and the water, to find an issue, worked a passage through the least resisting parts of the strata.

Lakes, encircled by a girdle of rocks, deposited there heavy alluvion, and then filling up, overflowed their low banks. This action of the water gradually wore way the rocks, rapids dug deep gorges, until at last the lakes were drained, and left behind a fertile soil, which brought prosperity to its possessors.

'''Flora and fauna of the first ages. —''' What were the primitive fauna and flora of China? This we can learn by studying its rocks. Suffice it to state that copious vegetation once covered its high peaks; it is this vegetation which, buried in the depths of the earth, has formed the present coal fields. Animals, much larger than these of to-day, among others the mammoth, inhabited the country.

'''The first inhabitants of China. Their place of origin. —''' Who were the first inhabitants of China? In the present state of science, an answer to this question is impossible. Did they come from the S.-W. by Burma? From the N., by the great plain of Siberia, or from the N. W. by the valley of the Hwang-ho? In the absence of trustworthy documents, we will follow the Chinese traditions, according to which the hundred families, the black-haired race, came from the West.

The first Chinese inhabitants (according to their ancient descriptive characters). — When the race first entered the country, they found it still covered with swamps, and transformed it little by little into agricultural land. They had also to dwell temporarily in mountain caves, and wage constant war against wild animals : the lion, rhinoceros, elephant, tiger, panther, bear, wolf etc... all these being then more numerous than now. They came likewise into contact with a half-savage population, frequently hostile, with whom they had at times to dwell together, but were compelled oftener to fight. Several of these races are still extant in China, in the S. especially : the Lolos. and the Miao-tze. Others, the I, seem to have been driven Northwards and hence to have crossed over to America.

What were the life, manners, language, and religion of these first Chinese? They were nomads, shepherds and hunters, but settled down gradually and cultivated the soil. Covered at first with the skins of wild beasts, they learned later on to manufacture cloth and make garments.

Their food was meat and afterwards grain, when they became tillers of the soil. They had a knowledge of copper and knew also how to work in wood. Shells, soon replaced by ingots of copper fulfilled the office of money. They were fond of noise, dancing, and music. To preserve the memory of great events, they made knots on cords, and later on, notches on sticks. Their writing first consisted of rude outlines. At their head was a chieftain, whom they considered as the medium between heaven and earth. Around him gathered several clans. The laws were very harsh and parental authority reigned supreme in the family.

Their religion recognized and honoured a Supreme Lord. They paid great