This chapter, being specially devoted to what may prove dull and uninteresting to the general reader, I am sorry that it is not in my power to make it more scientific in character; but it must be recollected that the “Upper Yang-tsze Expedition” was not composed of savans, but simply of persons travelling together for the sake of amusement and adventure, at the same time that they kept in view the opportunity afforded them of adding to the geographical knowledge of their countrymen. Neither the botany nor zoology of the country is treated of, because the only specimens brought back in those departments were,—the ferns collected by Colonel Sarel, of which a list appears in the Appendix; a few seeds; and some birds collected during idle moments: these last have but just arrived in England. It is accordingly hoped that those who peruse this chapter will bear with its imperfections.

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE RIVER

Glancing at a map of Eastern Asia, it will be seen that, rising by several sources in the elevated region of Tibet, and among the mountains separating that country from China proper, the Yang-tsze Kiang first takes a southerly direction into the province of Yu-nan, where, recurving northwards, it enters Sz'chuan, through which province its course is a general one of east-north-east, and in which it receives several important tributaries.