DR. AITCniSON ON THE FLOEA OF LAHUL. 85 



From the above we might divide the vegetatioiij according to 

 the altitude, into three zones : — the first extending from 8500 

 to 11,000 feet, and containing the maximum of vegetation; the 

 second zone from 11,000 to 16,000 feet; the third zone from 

 1G,000 feet upwards, containing the minimum of vegetation. 



The flora of the valley or first region or zone of vegetation is 

 characterized chiefly by the presence of nearly all the trees that 

 exist in Lahul, viz. Pimts excelsa^ Alies, Juniper, Poplars, Wil- 

 lows, JBetuIay JIipj90^7tae, Fj/rus — more especially, however, by the 

 Juniper and Ilippopliae, the former of these two being not only 

 very profuse but forming forests (stopping at 14,000 feet, where it 

 occurs as a shrub), and the hitter chiefly as a shrub, not unfre- 

 quently forming trees, up to an elevation of 14,000 feet. The 

 JPinus excelsa, except in the two forests particularly mentioned, 

 is not a common although an occasional tree. The Salices come 

 next in abundance, more especially as one of these, No. 284, 

 Sali.Vj species, is regularly cultivated, besides the presence of nine 

 others of the same genus growing luxuriantly. 



The Poplars by their extreme height ov^ertopping the other 

 trees makes them somewhat characteristic in the landscape. The 

 JPp^i and Betulw are but few, not very common, the former oc- 

 curring more usually round villages. The Eoses, of which there 

 seem to be no less that nineteen varieties, with No, 294, Ilippophae 

 rJiamnoideSj No. 83, JBerheris mclgaris^ L., var. atnensisy No. 195, 

 Spircea Jcamtsc7iatica,'Pal\,, and Zo?ticeras,viit}xMyricaria, as a river- 

 side shrub, form the shrubby, bushy vegetation of the valley ; this, 

 during the month of July, when the roses are in full blossom, is 

 nowhere to be eclipsed in its beauty ; mixed Avith them we have 

 several of the HibeSj as well as No. 50, Godonopsis ovalifolla. 



The under shrubs and herbs are still more numerous. The 

 finest flowering plant in Lahul is No. 85, JEremiirus specfalilis, 

 Bieb., of which the flowering stein is fully six feet in heiglit, 

 and the spike of inflorescence from two to three feet in length. 

 The next one is Ilernei^ocallis falva, L., No, 81, a not very com- 

 mon but a most gorgeous-flowered plant, its flowering stem being 

 also nearly six feet in height, bearing numerous flowers, each one 

 having a brilliant orange corolla four inches in depth. 



The Iris kamaone7isis, No. G, occurring at nearly all heights, 

 characterizes the country by its immense beds of purplish-blue 

 flowers. 



The Anemone is in great profusion, with tlie BamincitU and 

 Caltha palustriSy occurring nearly everywhere, covering the 



