But some light was recently thrown fon this problem by the somewhat obscure diary of the Chinese travel Jer Shu who, writing in 1699, said effect that about $0 years before onwards the end of the century probably, since the dates are vague) the volcano. Ma-an Shan which previously had, been covered with tees was denuded of vegeta-Yon by a disturbance. The disturbance Is described in this diary as being caused by @ devil or dragon, fand may well refer to some volcanic outburst which destroyed the trees Ma-an Shan is one of the most, per feet cones in the neighbourhood and derives its nome Saddle Hill from lis shape. It is quite impossible to believe that the lavas of Tengyuch which still have jogged edges, and Which are still bare of all vegetation except grasses and orchids, are not recent.
The same observer, Shu, notes that the city Iles outside "the" wall. Tt would seem that this has always been a peculiarity of the place which was doublies due to some strategic policy of the Mings who possibly preferred a then unreliable and semi~ foreign population to remain outside
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.