CntJMBA STATE AND BBITISH LAHOITG. 373 



while a form of R. aquatilis occurs in pools in the Punjab, it 

 entirely disappears until the Himalayas proper have been crossed, 

 when it is again met with in Lahoul. Anemone rivularis, which 

 occurs abundantly on the higher slopes of this region, is also much 

 more tropical in its character than any other member of its genus, 

 being the only species which extends to the mountains of Southern 

 India. This same peculiarity might be shown with every other 

 order. Thus, Fuinariaceas 13 species, none in the First region ; 

 Cruciferse 43, with two species in this region common to it and 

 the Second ; Caryophyllaceae 26 species, of which two occur 

 here, one {Gypsophila cerastioides) almost confined to the higher 

 slopes of the First Range (a very characteristic and handsome 

 plant), alt. 5000-12,000 feet ; Geraniacese 19 species, of which Ge- 

 ranium lucidum and G. ocellatum (the species which extend to the 

 low hills of the Peninsula) are the only Geraniums met with, 

 while only one Balsam appears to occur, viz. Impatiens amphorata. 

 Of 52 Papilionaceae only four were met with, and of 51 Rosacea? 

 only three species, in the First region. Of Primulacese only four 

 species were seen. One of these, Primula floribunda, may be 

 considered the subtropical member of this interesting genus, 

 belonging to a group which becomes diffused eastward to China 

 and Japan, and is characterized by having conduplicate vernation 

 and more or less foliaceous bracts. Androsace incisa descends to 

 about 3000 feet, and is spread all over this and the Second region; 

 but the higher and snow-capped middle range forms almost 

 an artificial boundary-line in its distribution ; for its place is 

 immediately taken, on crossing to the north of this range, by its 

 nearest ally, A. cordifolia. A. sarmentosa is also confined to the 

 north of the middle range ; while A. lanuginosa is very abundant 

 on the warm temperate slopes of the First Eange. Ferns are 

 extremely rare in the Southern or First region, only four species 

 having been detected ; and these are all of a subtropical character, 

 Asplenium alternans being the characteristic fern. 



Flora of the Second Region. — Immediately on crossing to the 

 :north of the First Range a marked change in the vegetation is 

 :noticeable. Dense forests of immense Cedrus Deodara were en- 

 tered ; and herbaceous plants, which only appeared at 7000-10,000 

 feet on the south, were here seen to descend to 3000 feet towards 

 Chumba city. I shall not enter into a detailed description of the 

 plants of this region, as it may in a few words be described as 

 inhabited by the typical vegetation of the North-west Himalayas. 



