Page:Ossendowski - From President to Prison.djvu/93

Rh as well as the range of Loye Lin. On their way they fought and dispersed several large bands of hunghutzes, returned to the valley of the Mutan and worked back along its course to Ninguta, but nowhere in their circling movement discovered any Japanese. After this, comparative calm reigned in our little world; the Chinese became obedient and worked well; and nothing indicated the presence of these banditti, who brought really more trouble and disorder than danger into our midst.

Profiting by these peaceful conditions, several naturalist friends of mine, who were able to secure short leave from their duties in the army, joined me in making excursions into the forest round about. As my companions were not hunters, our expeditions had an entirely peaceful character but were far from devoid of lively interest; for, roaming these Manchurian forests, we found quite a number of curious specimens of the flora and fauna of the region.

On the fringe of a small marsh, where nearly every bush hid a snipe or a yellow-leg, one of my friends stopped and began examining closely a small clump of moss. After inspecting it for a considerable time, he turned to us and said:

"This is a very rare species of moss, supposed to be found only on the north and south slopes of the Himalayas and commonly called 'holy moss,' though its botanical designation is Cassiope tetragona. The Buddhists use it in the manufacture of liturgical candles, twisting it into wicks which they dip in resin or wax, and adding as perfume either sandalwood, vanilla or saffron. When lighted, they burn very slowly, until the last bit of resin or wax has been entirely consumed. The moss is a natural punk."

We dried some of the plant near a fire and