The first expedition was made into the heart of the great forest of Kirin which lies to the east of Mukden and has been estimated to cover an area about equal to that of Scotland. He tells how this wonderful region is being rapidly deforested, the timber being taken down the Sungari River in the form of huge rafts. His experiences with robbers and his keen appreciation of the conditions that prevail amongst the Chinese settlers that occupy this area, make interesting reading while his thrilling account of his journey down the Sungari River in a small native boat which he navigated himself—being the first white man to have attempted any such feat—taking it over unexplored rapids, running the gauntlet of brigands, and finally bringing ib safely to the city of Kirin, supply all the hair-breadth adventures that. even the most avid reader could desire. He tells of one incident when a thief came into his tent one night armed with a villainous knife and whose intention was to steal his rifles to hand them over to a robber band that were lying in wait for him on the other side of the river. He woke in the nick of time to cover his visitor with a revolver and make him prisoner, handing him over to the local authorities to be dealt with.
His next trip was up the Yalu River, again by native boat. Though devoid of any great excitement, this trip resulted in some very fine collections being made, and anglers will appreciate his accounts of the various kinds of fish to be obtained in that river. Amongst, other species he got specimens of a true bass, while it was here that he encountered for the first time the beautiful rainbow carp which may be taken after the manner of trout with the fly.
An interesting chapter deals with the seaside natural history of Pei-taiyo, Chinwangtao, and Shanhai-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.