Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/110

 106 Ling-Nam.

Ho-t’ow, the town from which our boat receives its name. Boat-building is one of the chief industries of the town, which is also of importance as the shipping point for goods, destined for Canton, that come by portage from the south-west. Between Ho-t'ow and Wong-nai-wan, _ the town at the head of navigation on the other side, stretches the plain of Teen-t’ong, “Heaven’s Hall.” It is circular in shape, surrounded by hills, and is given up almost entirely to the cultivation of rice. In the centre stands the market-town of Teen-t’ong, and all around stretch the broad fields with golden grain, waving ready for the sickle. The Chinese play upon the name, and often say in joke that a man has gone to Teen-t’ong, one of the usual expressions for saying “he is dead.”

Six miles across this plain brings us to the headwaters of the Yeung-chun stream, the entrance to a valley rich in natural products, and attractive in scenery. In the mountains that line the river are many wonderful caves, some of which have formed places of refuge for hundreds of people at one time, and some of which are still used as temporary residences. Through this district passes the courier route to Ko-chow, and the lower departments of Canton province,