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with a kind of walnut tree, all rising amidst thickets and encircled by ivy.
Nangai was also destroyed during the war in 1868. From this place to F’see the valley of the Nishikawa is followed along its left bank to Kayabara, where it is crossed by a bridge. The Nishikawa is aright tributary to the Tonegawa; it has quite the aspect of a mountain stream, and viewed from the hills with its clear water, with wooden bridges of a particularly clever and quaint construction leading over it, the whole enclosed by hills covered with fresh verdure, it furnishes a pleasant sight. As far as can be seen the valley is moreover covered with villages.
Between F’see and Nakayama a new road has lately been opened, shortening the distance, as it formerly was, by 112 ri. But this part is certainly the most trying one of the whole road. The ascent of these hills, along the slopes of which it has been cut, is steep; at most places it is not broader than five or six feet, this width being sometimes obtained by trunks of trees, supported by props, or by large stone-blocks against the descending mountain-slopes, and covered by branches of trees over which one has to go. It looks very dangerous, and I think will be wholly impracticable, and in many parts liable to be destroyed by heavy rainfalls. After the highest point has been attained, at a place called Kirigakubotoge, the road descends more slowly to the valley in which Nakayama is situated, being for a great part an uncultivated and solitary grass-land with a tree scattered on it here and there, and with a gently undulating soil. Nakayama itself is a place of very poor appearance, quietly situated in the midst of the valley.
Leaving Nakayama the road gradually ascends for about 1 ri; the highest point is reached here between the Minami and the Komochiyama, two grass-grown hills on both sides of the road, at a little distance from it; in clear weather Asama-yama is to be seen from this in about a S.W. direction. From here to Yokobori the road descends rapidly; about half way there is a splendid view between
