Promotional Information

At once a gazetteer, an ethnography, and a natural history of south China--mainly Guangxi and Hainan--and its indigenous people during the twelfth century

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Translator's Notes

Introduction

Maps

Author's Preface

1. Precipice-Grottoes

2. Metals and Stones

3. Aromatics

4. Wines

5. Implements

6. Birds

7. Quadrupeds

8. Insects and Fishes

9. Flowers

10. Fruites

11. Herbaceous Plants and Trees

12. Miscellaneous Items

13. The Man Peoples

Original Chinese Text

Abbreviations Used in the Notes and Bibliography

Appendix: Important Collections

Reprinting the Text of Treatise

Bibliography

Glossary-Index

About the Author

James M. Hargett is professor of Chinese at the State University of New York, Albany. He is the author of Stairway to Heaven: A Journey to the Summit of Mount Emei and translator of Riding the River Home: A Complete and Annotated Translation of Fan Chengda's (1126-1193) Boat Trip to Wu (Wuchuan lu).

Reviews

"A major milestone in the field of sinology as well as in Hargett's prolific career. . . . We are indebted to Hargett for his precise, readable, and thoroughly researched translation of the Treatises."
*China Review International*

"Treatises is an item that specialists should definitely acquire for their library, and readers with an interest in natural history will certainly enjoy reading."
*Journal of Asian History*

"The translation is carefully annotated and the extensive notes with many explanations use modern scientific terminology to provide the reader with an excellent insight into the themes and topics described . . . a very useful reference work for everybody who works on related topics . . . suitable for teaching classes . . . should not be missing in any sinological library of pre-modern Chinese history."
*Monumenta Serica*

"Hargett’s conscientious translation and meticulous study of Fan Chengda’s Treatises of the Supervisor and Guardian of the Cinnamon Sea represents the culmination of a labor of devotion and love. The book does a great service to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the natural world, material culture, and ethnography in China’s southwestern frontier in the twelfth century. Such an indispensable book will definitely stimulate future researchers."
*Asiatische Studien/ Etudes Asiatiques*