Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/206

 202 Ling-Nam.

the shadow of Sha-mo-ling, keeping near the base of the ridge, of which it is a spur, until the winding of the stream among the lower hills shuts out from view the southern part of the plain. The hills for some distance are less striking than those we have just left on the Tung-pi side, being smoother and of a different formation, red clay entering largely into their composition, The shores, for miles in extent, are covered with the most handsome grasses yet seen, many of the clumps rising in exquisite plumes twelve and fifteen feet high, and of delicate pink or lilac colour. After a few miles’ travel we come to a little pass with several bold conspicuous peaks on the right, the higher one being remarkable for its caves, one of which opens its great yawning mouth on the side facing the river, but so high up as to make entrance to it diffienlt. This cave is said to pierce the hill, but pools of water in the inner portion make the passage difficult and unpleasant. Several smaller caves open near the summit of the hill, Along the shore on the left is a good footpath cut in the steep hillside, from which, as we walk along, the beauties of the little pass are seen to best advantage. Beyond the pass are remains of coal mines not now in operation, but which, from the amount of refuse scattered about, uimst have been quite extensive at one time. Want of proper drainage is the ruin of all such enterprises here.

The river now makes a great bend, sweeping to the west and back again to the north-east, and on the outer- most point of the semicircle thus formed is a small pagoda, near the large village of Shui-hau, the first auchorage for salt beats on their way up from Lien-chow.