Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/201

 At the Headwaters. 197

ing all snares set to capture them. If report can he believed, this forest’ presents muny attractions to the naturalist, to the hunter, and to the explorer. The natives do not venture into it alone, but go in bands of at least ten or twelve when business calls them there. They build huts to live in, and set guards about, while they cut timber and firewood.

From Shek-kok to Yung-shii it is five miles by river. One bend in the stream introduces us to an entirely new and freshly-diversified scene. The mountain wall on the east is, perhaps, 1,000 feet high, the summit line in places being like immense parapets, with openings here and there, through which we look into the space beyond. One hill in particular, called Ha-lat-shan, “ Crab Hill,” has a large natural doorway near the top, while at its foot lies a great mass of rock, thrown down at some time from the top. A short distance further, on the bank of the river, is a very remarkable detached cliff, a huge mass of castel~ lated rock, riven off at some former period from the higher cliff behind. Tradition attributes this work to one Prince Chan (his posthumous title), who, in reward for a worthy life, received divine honours after death, and has attested his power by rending the rocks and other equally wonderful performances, with what. benefit to himself or others we know not. A small temple dedicated to him stands in a cleft in this rock, beside the narrow path that runs along the steep side above the water.

On the west, a line of lower hills branches off from the main ridge behind, converging to a point near the shore. Several of these near the river are of white calcareous rocks, covered with a rich verdure, and groves of large