et ee, Sete ce cs ‘. MAE neers Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023226180 Cornell University Library DS 709.P91 “TTT 3 1924 023 226 180 wa | Wass. 08709 Pd a) ; A Cha Py ee 2 Vy, TIBET PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARR LONDON THE AUTHOR IN CHINESE TRAVELLING DRESS. TO THE SNOWS OF TIBET THROUGH CHINA BY A. FE. PRATT, F.R.GS. GILL MEMORIALIST 1891 AUTHOR'S CHINESE NAME WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND A MAP LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. AND NEW YORK: 15 EAST 16 STREET 1892 All rights reserved & Wee DS14 Pal W416 TO J. H. LEECH, Exe. B.A., P.LS., F.Z.8., F.R.G.S., &e. A DISTINGUISHED ENTOMOLOGIST THIS VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR PRHFACEH Ir was not until after my return to Europe that the thought occurred to me of putting the notes of my ex- periences in China into the shape of a book, which is now presented to the reader. The work makes no pretension to be anything more than a straightforward, unvarnished account of trips into very little known parts of China and Tibet. Ihave avoided, as far as possible, descrip- tions of places and scenes which have been previously described, and have also done my best to withstand the temptation to generalise from limited experience, to which travellers in China seem peculiarly liable. Lavail myself of this preface to express my deep obligations to many friends who have helped me in one way and another. Especially I would offer my thanks to Mon- seigneur Birt, of Ta-tsien-lu, for much kindness on the occasion of both my visits. viii PREFACE To Lieut. ALEXANDER CocHran, R.N., [ also owe my thanks for his assistance in compiling this work from the rough notes of my journeys. Space will not permit me to do more than briefly express my thanks to the three following members of the Consular Service, Messrs. Grecory, Fraser, and Cocksury, late British Resident of Chung-king; also to the Rev. Grorak CockBurn and Dr. A. Heyry of Ichang, Bishop Brnsamin, Péres Souls, Desean, Mossot, and other fathers; Mr. Tuomas Woop of Messrs. Drysdale, Ringer, & Co., Shanghai, the Rev. Bensamin Rirts, the Rev. Josnua Vate of Kia-ting-fu, and the Rev. Joun Hykes and Dr. UNpERWoop of Kiu- kiang, from all of whom I received great courtesy, and all the help they could give me. A. EK. PRATT. 12 Winton Street, Rypz, Iste or WiGuHr : February 26, 1892 CONTENTS CHAPTER I THE YANG-TZE AS FAR AS ICHANG PAGE Object of journey—Departure from England—Arrival at Shanghai — Kiu-kiang—‘ Little Orphan ’— Lu-shan Hills — Flowers — Temples—Rainfall—New snake—Collector bitten—Silver work —Hankow—Passport obtained—Leave for Ichang—Sunday Island—House rented—Cesspool—House-boat hired—San-yu- tung—Joss-house—New papilio—Ferns and plants—Fishermen —Birds and monkeys—Wild goats—Flying squirrel—Chinese mountaineers—General aspect of glen—Return to Ichang ‘ 1 CHAPTER II IOHANG Packing collections—Packing-cases—Curiosities—Trade of Ichang —Imports—Communication with Hankow—Missions and mis- sionaries—Festival of New Year—Beggars, their misery and harsh treatment—Procession to pray for rain—Joss-house to bring luck—Golden pheasants—Fish of the Yang-tze—River porpoise—Otters for fishing—Cemetery—The Dome—Floating lamps , ‘ 14 x CONTENTS CHAPTER III EXPEDITIONS TO CHANG-YANG AND SIN-TAN RAPID PAGE Want of forest near river—Chang-yang—Journey to— Description of Country—Pigs and leopards—Jungle—Reeves’ pheasant — Return to Ichang—Enormous creepers—Soap trees—Ichang Gorge—Pin-san-pa—Mu-tan Rapid—Ta-tung Rapid—Curiously worn rocks—Crews of large junks—Lu-kan Gorge—Shale— Sin-tan Rapid—Me-tan Gorge—Insults at Sin-tan—Chinese monopoly of steam navigation—Steps up precipices—Nan-too —‘Needle of Heaven ’—Arrival at Ichang ; . 29 CHAPTER IV CHANG-YANG Preparations for trip to Chang-yang—Hiring coolies—Passport— Start with Dr. Henry—Description of House—Robbery of cash —Collecting Coleoptera—Pony killed by tiger—Tigers common, but no man-eaters— Poisoning tigers—Wild pigs—Boars’ tusks offered for sale as tigers’ teeth—Deer—-Porcupines—Pheasants —Plants and tlowers— Hostility of natives—I complain at Ichang—Punishment of agitators—Excursion to the South— Deep ravines—Etu River—Varnish tree—Method of collecting varnish —Trade of distriet—Edible fungus —Heavy damages— Preparation for return to Ichang : ; : . 40 CHAPTER V SHA-SHIH AND PA-CHOW Excursion to Sha-shih—Large town with considerable trade—Rav- ages of cholera - Ho-sia—Try to find lakes, but fail—Trouble at a village—False information—-Further insults—Treachery of coolies—Arrival at boat—Stwrgeon—Stopped by head wind— Washing for gold—'Tiger’s Tooth Gorge—Loss of silver-laden junk —Return to Shanghai with Mrs. Pratt—-Purchase cases for collections and duck-guns—Wild-fowl on Yang-tze—Return to Ichang--Floods—Decrease in size of river above Tung-ting CONTENTS xi PAGE Lakes—-Arrive at Ichang—Contract for boat to be built—Delay in building—Trip to Pa-chow—Cranes and storks at Hope Island—Geese at Pa-chow—Etu—Return to Ichang—Depar- ture of Mrs. Pratt and children for England—Description of boat and arrangements on board ; ; ; . 64 CHAPTER VI THROUGH THE GORGES OF THE YANG-TZE Captain and crew of boat—Trackers—Stores taken—Start up the river—Ta-tung Rapid—Life-boats—Wreck passed—Sin-tan Rapid—An anxious night—Me-tan Gorge—Kwei—Yeh-tan Rapid—Pa.-tung-hsien— Wild rose—Absence of birds—Wu-shan Gorge—Fung-sien Gorge —Accident in a rapid—Striking scenery —Chinese coftins— Road making— Brine springs—Quei-chow-fu —Examination of passports—Trade of the place—Escort—Dog overboard—Bad rapid—Riverside villages— Wan-hsien—Oppor- tunity to send letters—Orange trees—St. George’s Island— Lung-chau : : : : é ¢ . 71 CHAPTER VII JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONTINUED Necessity of haste—Intricacy of channel—Pagodas—Gold washers —Fu.chau—' Weigeren’ boat—Meet Mr. George-—Collecting larve and Coleoptera—Arrive at Chung-king—Visit Resident— A large and important town—Change in crews—Disagreeable incident—Leave Chung-king—Tine scenery—Bamboos and llamoo trees—Heronries—Vexatious delay—Cedars— Hostility at a small town—Poppies and tobacco—We land but are obliged to return—Robbery on board—Rise in river—Boat in danger— Man overboard—Lu-chau in runs— Meet Mrs. Riley—Arrive at Sui-fu—Beautiful place—Natives Mahommedan principally and well disposed to foreigners—-Large trading place—Upper Yang- tze—Leave for Kia-ting-fu—Fishing with cormorants—Ancient caves-—Chien-wei-hsien—Brine wells—Suicide of soldier—Chu- ken-tan . : 5 7 * : ® BS xH CONTENTS CHAPTER VIII KIA-TING-FU TO WA-SHAN PAGE Arrival at Kia-ting-fu—Attack by students—Stone throwing— Retreat to a safe position—Message from Tao-tai—Am prisoner in boat—Prepare for overland journey—Assistance from mis- sionaries—Instructions to lowban---Adopt Chinese dress — Colossal image—Visit from Tao-tai—Reports about boat— Explanations—Difiiculty as to route—Leave for Wa-shan—Su- chi—Dendrobiwm seen—Oméi-hsien—Wax insect, how made use of—Yang-tsun—Hsin-chang—Robbers outside inn—Lolo houses—Dangerous paths—‘Times’ of 1877 at Lulu-ping— Tung River—Antelopes at Chin-kou-ho—Arrive at Ta-tien- chih—Pére Martin—Wild animals and birds in district—Fruits and flowers—Trip to base of Wa-shan—View—Icicles—Tribu- tary Lolos—Collections—Arrival of mail—-Description of Mount Wa : : Z 5 i z , . 102 CHAPTER IX WA-SHAN TO TA-TSIEN-LU Decide to visit Ta-tsien-lu—Preparations for journey—Coolies’ loads —So-i-ling Pass—Huang-mu-chang—Peére Martin—Chin-ki-za -——Fu-lin—Its trade and produce—Inhospitality—Trouble about horses and coolies—Procure mules but lose them at Ni-tou— Fei-yueh-ling Pass—Pines and rhododendrons— Magnificent view—Dirt and discomfort at Leng-chi—Valley of the Tung River—Suspension bridge at Lu-ting-chiao—Cha-pa—Wel- comed by missionaries—A flood in a watercourse—Bad road— Ruined houses—The Tung in flood—Traffic on the read—Fruit at Wa-ssu—Road to Ta-tsien-lu—Zones of vegetation—Single rope bridge—Arrival at Ta-tsien-ln—Kindness of Bishop Biet . 120 CHAPTER X TA-TSIEN-LU Meet Mr. Rockhil— His journey— Missionaries give great assistance —Christian collectors—Hard life and devotion of the mission- aries—Description of the inn—Prayer papers— Caravans— CONTENTS xiii PAGE Caravan drivers—Their dress—The landlady’s wealth—Value of gold—City of Ta-tsien-lu—Its inhabitants—Their dress and arms—Lamas—Funeral rites of a lama—Brick tea—Loads carried by coolies—Trade—Distance travelled by caravans— Currency—Sealing-wax— Women’s feast—Sanscrit inscriptions —Despatch carriers between Pekin and Lhassa—Departure of Mr. Rockhill—Misfortunes of his men—Tibetan dogs—Expe- dition to Chet-tu-—Poor lodgings—Crossoptilon Tibetanwm seen —Parnassius Imperator—Expedition to the north—Shooting Crossoptilon—Prepartions for departure : ; - 134 CHAPTER XI RETURN JOURNEY TO ICHANG Departure for Wa-ssu—Difliculty at Fu-lin—Huang-mu-chang— Road lost—So-i-ling Pass at night—Arrive at Ta-tien-chih at midnight—Collectors work—Horses ‘procured—Guard of soldiers-—Arrive at Kia-ting-fu—Carelessness with mails—Go to my boat—Very heavy flood—Great loss of life—False rumours concerning the object of my journey—Inspection of boat by Tao- tai—Visit to city—Lowban procures flag—Leayve for Ichang— Destruction of village—Boat aground in wrong channel—Pass Sui-fu—Lu-chau—Delayed by heavy rain—Arrival at Chung- king—Delayed by high river at Quei-chow-fu—Wrecks of junks—Pass the Sin-tan and Ta-tung rapids— Waterfalls . 147 CHAPTER XII SECOND JOURNEY TO TA-TSIEN-LU Arrival at Ichang—Story of the lowban’s flag—Despatch collec- tions—Leopard on the river bank—Trip to Hankow—Telegraph line—Official letters concerning my boat—Prepare for journey up river—Boat damaged on rock—Curious pagoda at Shi-po- chia—Arrive at Chung-king—Collector sent to Quei-chau—Sui- fu — Kia-ting-fu — Prepare for journey — Despatch coolies to Kia-kiang— Oméi-hsien—Wan-nien-tze—Bronze elephant and Buddha—Peculiar tea—Tibetan worshipper—The summit of Mount Oméi—Bronze Temple—Pagoda—Tremendous precipice —Tigers on the mountain—Suicides—View of the Snowy Xiv CONTENTS Mountains—Number of temples and priests on the mountain —Kia-kiang—Arrival at Ya-chow— Bamboo rafts on Ya River —Yung-ching-hsien — Tai-hsiang-ling-kwan Pass — Ching-chi- hsien—Bad road—aArrival at Ta-tsien-lu CHAPTER XIIT TA-TSIEN-LU Excursion to the south-east—Camp at an altitude of 12,500 feet— Rhododendron logs—Crossoptilan—Snow and frost—Search for road—Lake discovered—Salamanders— Mr. Kricheldorff goes to Mou-pin—Execution of Tibetans—Oppression of lamas —Message from Tibetan king—Try to find plateau to the north—Larve and pupa of Parnassius Imperator—Departure for neighbourhood of Mo-si-mien—Musk deer—Local king’s palace—Ponies and cattle—Meet Tibetan king—King’s farm— Hot springs—Pheasants and Ithaginis—Mo-si-mien Pass—Ya- chow-kun—Medicine collectors—Camping-ground chosen—Log hut—Lake discovered—Trip to Ta-tsien-lu—Snow-storm—Fine trees to the southward—Pu-tzu-fong—Black currants and small fruits—Natives excited against foreigner—Collectors at Ni-tou— Return to Ta-tsien-lu—Petition against my return south— Avrival of caravan from Shi-ga-tze—Pére Jeridot—Arrival of Prince Henri of Orleans—His collections—Races—Disturbance in city— Robbery — Breeding Crossoptilon — Lophophorus D’huysii—Tragopan—Parrots—Eagles . : CHAPTER XIV MOUNT OMEI Prepare to leave Ta-tsien-lu—Take charge of Prince Henri’s collec- tion—Collectors left behind—Departure—Village destroyed by landslip—Lu-ting-chiao—Sick woman—New road—Pass Chih- pan-kow, F'ung-ya-ping and San-yan-kwan—Arrive at Yo-so-po —Tai-hsiang-ling-kwan Pass—Huang-ni-po—Shih-chia-chiao-— Ya-chow-fu—Orders to travel by Hung-ya-hsien—Heavy rain— Robbery at Tsi-ho-kia—Hung-ya-hsien—Landlord in trouble— Kia-kiang—Kia-ting-fu—Depart for Oméi-shan—Wan-nien-ssu —Summit of Mount Oméi—Glory of Buddha~Temples easily destroyed by fire — Quantity of bronze on mountain — Iron suspension bridges PAGK 168 177 205 CONTENTS XV CHAPTER XV OMEI-SHAN TO SHANGHAI AND HOME PAGE Departure from Oméi-shan—Find Mr. Kricheldorff at Kia-ting— His difficulties at Mou-pin—Packing up—Bad conduct of col- lectors—Flood of Min river—Dangerous position of boat—Expe- dition to Mantzu caves—New species of bat—Arrival of collec- tors—Live stock—Leave Kia-ting-fu—Lolo raiders—Leave Sui- fu—Dangerous state of river—Ba-sa-tou—Chung-king—Delayed by state of river—Murders of native converts—Quei-chau collec- tor—Desertion of pilot—Sampan stove in at Hu-lin—Mortality among Crossoptilon—Delay at Wu-shan-hsien—Rapid at Niu- kan-tan—Quick travelling—Arrival at Ichang—Sale of boat— Shanghai—The collection of Prince Henri—Leave for South- ampton tw w ran APPENDICES I. Lisr or Brrps collected in China by Mr. A. E. Pratt . . 235: II. List or THE Species oF REprives anp FisHeEs collected by Mr. A. E. Pratt on the Upper Yang-tze-kiang and in the province Sze-chuen, with description of the New Species. By Albert Giinther, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., F.B.S. . ‘ i . 236 III. List or Lepiporrera collected by the Author at Kiu-kiang. Extracts from a Paper by J. H. Leech, Esq., B.A., F.L.S., &e., ‘Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond.,’ March 1889 . ‘ 251 New SpecIES AND VARIETIES OF LEPIDOPTERA collected by the Author in Western and Central China, described and named by J. H. Leech, Esq., B.A., F.L.8., &e., in the ‘ Entomo- logist,’ 1890 and 1891. : , A ‘ . 266 ILLUSTRATIONS THe AUTHOR IN CHINESE TRAVELLING Dress . Frontispiece Pontoon, IcHane to face p. 8 Papitio ELWweEs! . ‘ ‘ ‘ 9 10 IcHANG, SHOWING BRITISH CONSULATE . 5 26 Lu-kan GORGE . . ‘ : a 36 Boat READY FOR THE VOYAGE Z ‘ i 68 Tue Sin-Tan Rapip. River Low , 3 76 ScENE IN THE Wu-SHAN GORGE . : 3.4 Rs 78 Boat in a Raprp, sHowinc Bow SWEEP READY FOR USE es 94 Scene on Min River, NEAR KIA-TING-FU ‘ ig » 104 Mission House, Ta-TIEN-CHIH, AT THE FOOT OF Mount Wa » 114 Wa-ssu-koU GORGE : é . a » 182 Ta-TSIEN-LU FROM THE SOUTH . ; » 184 STREET LEADING TO SouTH GaTE, TA-TSIEN-LU . a » 188 TIBETAN JEWELRY, ETC. . é , ‘ A » 142 Camp Nort oF Ta-TSIEN-LU. TIBETAN TENT . Es 5 146 Bronze Pacopa aNnp Ruins oF Bronze TEMPLE, SUMMIT oF Mount Omér ‘ : ‘i : » 170 RHODODENDRONS. ALTITUDE, 12,000 FEET ‘ a% » 182 xviii ILLUSTRATIONS View From Mo-si-mIEN Pass, LooKING WEST : . to face p. 186 Camp on Site oF Loe Hur ‘ P : é » 188 Loe Hut on June 5, 1890 . ‘ 2 : ; » 192 Part oF SHI-GA-TZE CARAVAN ENCAMPED OUTSIDE LAMASSERY » 196: Haunts or tHE LopHoPHoORUS L/HUYSIT AND CROSSOPTILON TipetanomM. ALTITUDE OF CAMERA, 13,520 FEET . » 202 View From Site or Log Hur, tooxine Nortu , : » 206 SUMMIT AND UPPER PART OF Precipice, Mount OmkI » 216 Imace oF TIGER, NEAR THE Summit oF Mount Omir. » 220 TcHONG-TSAo (SPHERIA SINENSI®) : : ta page 234. LorHopaorvs DL’ HUYSII z : te, oe » 2387 CROSSOPTILON TIBETANUM . ‘ j : 0 23% Prate I... ‘ . ; : to face p. 240 rae i ‘ ‘ : iy i 246 » Ill i 248 Pree Ba ; 250 MAP oF Curina.—ProvincE oF SZE-CHUEN, SHOWING Routes TAKEN IN 1889-1890 . ‘ : a é at the end TO THE SNOWS OF TIBET THROUGH CHINA CHAPTER I THE YANG-TZE AS FAR AS ICHANG Object of journey—Departure from England—Arrival at Shanghai—Kiu- kiang—‘ Little Orphan ’—Lu-shan Hills--Flowers—Temples—Rain- fall—New snake—Collector bitten—Silver work— Hankow—Passport obtained—Leave for Ichang—Sunday Island—House rented—Cess- pool— House-boat hired—San-yu-tung—Joss-house—New papilio— Ferns and plants—Fishermen—Birds and monkeys—Wild goats— Flying squirrel—Chinese mountaineers—General aspect of glen— Return to Ichang. So little of this great world of ours is new to the ex- plorer or the naturalist, that it becomes more difficult year by year to find unworked fields. Choice is there- fore mainly confined to those which have hitherto been only superficially examined. The countries in which these occur are not easy for a European to work in, either from the hostility of the natives, or difficulty of. travel and the transport of collections. After consider- able thought I decided to proceed to China and ascend B 2 KIU-KIANG the Yang-tze-kiang, with the intention of penetrating Tibet from its eastern boundary. With this object in view I left England on February 7, 1887, in the s.s. Palinurus, bound for Shanghai, with my wife and family, who I intended should accompany me as far as Ichang, the last treaty port on the river. Nothing of any special interest occurred during the voyage, and as it has been frequently described, and is now so often taken by the ordinary globe-trotter, it will receive no notice in this work. I arrived on April 2, and after a stay of a week, left in one of the splendid river steamers for Kiu-kiang on my way to Ichang, which place I purposed to make my head-quarters. These boats are most luxuriously furnished, and the comfort of passengers is carefully provided for in every way. At Kiu-kiang my real work commenced. This town is situated on the right bank of the river, and just above the Poyang Lake. It is built as high as possible above the ordinary level of the river, but as violent floods occur during the summer, it suffers, like all the other towns on the flat banks of the river, from inundations, floods being caused by the melting of the snow on the mountains among which the river takes its rise. Just before reaching Kiu-kiang one of the most LU-SHAN HILLS 3 remarkable objects in the lower part of the river was passed—a huge isolated rock surmounted by a joss- house, which was embowered in gracefully growing vegetation consisting principally of bamboo. This rock goes by the name of ‘The Little Orphan,’ and it is worthy of note that pelicans are first met with here. There being no hotel at Kiu-kiang, I was most hospitably entertained by Dr. Underwood till I could get away to the hilly country about nine miles to the south of the town, where I might expect to commence collecting. Here I got accommodation through the kindness of the Rev. John Hykes of the American Central China Mission. This gentleman most generously placed his bungalow at my disposal for the whole of the summer season. It was most delightfully situated in a gorge, with a beautiful view of the river and valley below. There were three rooms, with the usual verandah in front, and a detached cook-house. At the back was a precipitous hill covered with trees, scrub, and undergrowth. Numerous watercourses ran down, and after heavy rain the noise from the waterfalls was _almost deafening. These ranges are called the Lu-shan Hills, and the road from Kiu-kiang lies at first through a fertile valley in which rice is largely cultivated. About six miles out the ascent commences, and small streams passing. BQ 4 NEW SNAKE through rocky ravines clothed with underwood are seen. Further up the vegetation increases in size, and consists on the northern slopes principally of coniferous plants and evergreens. On the southern side firs appeared to be more numerous than on the northern. Lilies of several species were common here. Tsao-ko-ting oI Perpetual Snow = AT\ SS x Qs ee ayy ” \\ ae Pihiang-ni-po = atansgAw™ i a uw ain S CHIN RRS aA hte ‘< a = Ted a J a aa CHINA | Province, or Se CHUEN showing routes taken in 1889-1890. Figures denote height above seain feet Collecting stations marked thus. .+ I” 55h. Figo O So IiiY "i WEN 5 a: PRN | QS 7 oN Ore Ai, ee u- ing : tit English Miles Zi, | i 10 2 3 fung & Cy. S Lieut R.N. 10 = I SS I= — 10' 20° so' 40' 50' 103° Long.10' KE. 20' fla! Cochran. | ace Longmans, Green & Co; London & New York.