Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/217

 At the Headwaters. 213

exhaustless reservoir in the heart of the hill, and pouring a constant stream down into the valley. The brooks issuing from these two caves unite a short distance below, und join the main stream at Sing-tsz. Following the base of the mountain barrier to the east. ten miles further, we come to another of these streams flowing from a cave. A deep pool of bluish-green water spreads in front of the cave, and effectually prevents an entrance, but far in the rocky bosom of the hill can be heard the dripping of the water, as it forms the little stream that flows forth. The main branch of the river comes from the great waterfall, a fit beginning for the beautiful stream we have followed with such delight, while a fifth, but much smaller branch, flows in from the south, the source of which I had not time to search out.

The country immediately around Sing-tsz is chiefly composed of low, barren hills, and presents a rather desolate aspect, but a few miles distant in any direction the higher mountains relieve the monotony. To the north stretches the Shun-tau-ling, the “Gentle Head Bridge,” from the base of which the “ black” and “red” eaves send forth their perennial streams. It is a massive but barren range, with scarcely a tree to be seen. To the east is the Fung-tau-ling, the “ Respectful Front Ridge,” over which the postage road through a corner of Hunan to the headwaters of the North River passes. It possesses more variety of form and more verdure than the other, These two ridges form the border between the Canton and Hunan provinces. To the south of these is the re- markable ridge mentioned above, the Tai-pin-ling, the “Great Shee Ridge.” It is quite distinct from the