Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/194

 190 Ling-Nam.

the province for several days’ journey, and the people in this region are not considered so fierce and dangerons as those to the east, They are still frequently called the Ping-ti-Ins—that is, “Ius of the plain,” a name they formerly bore when they occupied the low lands adjacent, to distinguish them from the Ko-san, or “high moun- tain Ius.” They are all united under one head, but the “highlanders” have ever been the more fierce and independent. On the east is the great seat of their power, where the eight preat tribes dwell, where their ‘government centres, and where it is not considered safe for an outsider to venture. There, in their lodges perched on the steep hillsides, and reached by perilous paths, they live and flourish, if reports can be trusted, which say that among them are many men of wealth, who dress in fine clothing and live in comparative comfort. They have no written language, consequently no books or literature of their own, <A few of them understand Chinese, aud schools for teaching Chinese have been opened from time to time among them, but not with much success.

Their language seems to be entirely distinct from any Chinese dialect. They believe in sorcery, and use charms and incantations. They are looked down upon by the Chinese, who constantly speak of them as the In- tsai and Iu-mui, terms expressing contempt. Many wild tales are told of their strength, woodcraft, and cruelty ; aud not least widely believed, of their possession of tails. On the other hand, many pleasant incidents are related of their faithfulness to each other, and of their great hospitality. The latter they carry to absurd extremes,