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[[underline]] Chapter XV. [[/underline]] 318.

I felt therefore that careful exploration of the principal areas involved in the process should not only reveal much of first-rate importance to our better comprehension of the development of the Chinese civilization in its broader outlines, but also enable us to locate one or more sites well worth excavating.  Such a survey, therefore, I resolved to undertake in person in the very near future.
  The earlier half of January brought with it a lull in the warfare that had been dragging on in the region directly south of Peking, and permitted the partial resumption of train service in that direction.  Accordingly Mr. Tung and Mr. Ch'iu set out forthwith on a reconnaissance of sites in the Yangtze valley, where I promised to join them as soon as possible.  They left for the south on Jan. 18th.

[[underline]] Reconnaissance in Southern Shansi. [[/underline]]
  Meanwhile the Geological Survey had found itself forced to curtail its plans for field-work in those parts of China where conditions were still disturbed.  Dr. Wong, the Acting Director^[[,]] [[strikethrough]] (see Chapter I, page 3 and [[/underline]] passim [[/underline]]), [[/strikethrough]] therefore told me, much to my gratification, that the Survey would be glad to comply with my earlier request (see page 316), and loan us Mr. P. L. Yüan, to accompany Dr. Li on his proposed exploration of southern Shansi.  We accordingly spent the latter part of January and the opening days of February in preparations for their trip.  They got away on February 5th.  Their journey, as I expected, proved successful, and was the means of our obtaining some interesting results the following autumn; but their consideration we may defer for the moment (see Chapter XVII).

[[underline]] Mr. Tung and Mr. Ch'iu return to Peking.[[/underline]]
  Office-work and business matters occupied me during the rest of