Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/138

 134 Ling-Nam.

regia to add to his collection of rare plants, He was still affected by many of the superstitions of his people. He was a firm believer in Luk-tso, the great deity of Nam-wa, and was much concerned by the peculiar redness of the sky, seen at that time for several days. Another man of the sume name, but younger, who is largely concerned in the salt and coal business, is » man of progressive ideas, and comes to Mr. Hargreave’s regularly for the translation of special articles in the Scientific American and other scientific magazines.

According to the theory of Chinese geomancy, Shiu- kwan is favourably located in relation to the surrounding hills. To the south-west, across the North River, rises Fu-yung (Hibiscus) Hill, which, it is said, was formerly covered with a rich growth of hibiscus shrubs, from which a certain famous herbalist, who afterwards attained immortality, distilled life-giving elixirs, and prepared pills of marvellous efficacy. Half-way up the hill is a stone-house, and on the top a well, called the “Jade Well,” from the greenish colour of its water. The clay from this well is considered to be a specific for children when afflicted with boils, and is much sought after for this reason. In this well, which the natives say is now dry, the water coming out half-way down the hill, the shells of the pills made by the “fairy” doctor remain. They are said to be of a reddish colour, not perfectly round, and abont the size of pigeon eggs, made of something like a mixture of stone and iron. Two miles north of the city is Yuk-shan, “Jade Hill,” from which it is said jade-stone was formerly obtained, and to the north-east are certain rocks, called the “ Leaping