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(seq. 4)
June 4th. The wind-storm of last night appears to have broken the great heat and this morning it is fairly [cooling?]. My concern consists of carrier [men?] for various work Boy and two man chair for him and a three-man for myself. The main carriers left at 8:30 a.m. and I followed at 10 am.
We take the [?] route via San Yung Tung Glen in consequence of the main road being congested with railway Coolies for several days journey. My own one was not propitious. I sent on the chairs and had ridden not more than a hundred yards when one of the poles snapped! This occassioned an hour delay but occurring when it did we were able to buy a new pole.
It was one o'clock when I reached the mouth of San Yung Tung & found the [caravan?] & [Tiffin?] arriving [?]. It was very warm in the afternoon and we only did a further 15li to Sha-lao-che, making 35 li in all.
The little hamlet [consists?] in [four?] [scattered?] [houses?] and we [?] ourselves in the longest which is also a wine distillery & the smell of stale [?] is very strong.
The journey up San-Yung-Tung Glen is very interesting and much of the scenery is [wild?] and [?] The continual [cutting?] & [?] of the [?] is tedious and all of us were tired as the lodgings were reached.
All of us are 'soft' as yet & in no condition for long stages.
[?] [?] was in principle but otherwise very little blossoms were to be seen.
(seq. 5)
June 5th. A dull day for which all are thankful.
The road was vile all day. For the first 10 li we continued to ascend the Sun-Yung-Tung Glen which continues to narrow and provide some fine wild scenery. The glen eventually become impossible and we climb the cliffs skirting the glen. Vitis Henryana are abundant in the glen. The juvenile [?] the plant is putting and highly [?] in the [?] [?] it is [?] and unattractive. Maiden hair ferns clothe the [?] rocks and [?] is generally rampant. The rocks are of limestone and worn into grotesque shapes many from vine are observable and the larger camera is much in use.
Terraced cultivation is much in evidence every available inch being under cultivation. Wheat, Barley, and Peas - all ripe - are principal crops and this yellow colours [?] the landscape.
[?] other [?] is cultivated and [?] is [?] so on the slopes below Niu Piu. The farmers are all busy transplanting the rice. Saw one small [?] of Opium hidden away among [?] and [?] poor quality. Noted one [?] Ginkgo [?] with the curious aerial roots - like protuberances - the first [?] seen.
There was [?] difficulty in getting the Coolies underway this morning - one gave up the job and another had to be found. It took us 10 1/2 hours to do 45 li!
Saw one fine white P[?] flycatcher and heard many pheasants, also the Cuckoo. Reach Niu Pien Altitude 2,400 feet (Cow flat) at 5 o'clock near the hamlet Rehmannia angulata abounds. it is especially happy near rocks and the [?] of the [?] [?]. The local name: Feng tang Hsen (Bee Honey Flower)