<P> Dr. Henry, in his "Notes on the Economic Botany of China," refers to your wish to obtain specimens of the woods used in China for printing blocks . </P> <P> The name which the neighbouring city of Wuchang enjoys for the excellence of its printing work has led me to inquire into the woods used there, and I am sending you specimens of them by parcel post . </P> <P> The wood which is considered the best is the Veng li mu, which has been identified as the Pyrus betulcefolia, Bunge., and which grows in this Province . Slabs of this wood 1 ft. x 6 ins . x 1 ^ in . cost 150 cash, or about 51⁄2. d . </P> <P> A cheaper wood generally used for printing proclamations is the tu chung mu . Eucommia ulmoides, Oliv., has been determined to be the tu chung mu . The tu chung here used is a native of this Province . </P>

The first book printed by the chinese technique of block printing was