376 



DR. a. WATT OX TEE VEGETATION OF 



middle range, so that in the lower Chundra-Baga (which corre- 

 sponds to Pangi), they are very striking, viz. Acer ceesium, Acer 

 pictum, Oratcsgus Oxyacantha, Fraxinus excelsa, F. Moorcroftiana, 

 Corylus Column ; and, mingling with these forests and extending 

 to the exposed hill-sides, the following bushes are very charac- 

 teristic >~Abelia triflora, Lonicera (four species), Parrotia Jacque- 

 •montiana, and three species of Cotoneaster, conspicuously absent 

 from the Second region (their place being taken by Herberts) ; four 

 species of Pyrus, and particularly Bosa macrophylla and B. Web- 

 liana taking the place of the very abundant and scandent Eose of 

 the Second region. Three species of Bibes, and the appearance of 

 Deutzia and Philadelphus, are striking characters of this region. 

 It is remarkable, however, that while Bhododendron campanulatum 

 is extremely common upon the south, it is nowhere seen in the 

 north, nor indeed any other Bhododendron, except in Upper 

 Lahoul, where the minute form makes its appearance. Extensive 

 forests occur in Pangi ; but on ascending the Chenab arboreous 

 vegetation gradually disappears, and, except here and there, where 

 Pinus excelsa and Juniperus excelsa form dense forests, no trees 

 are to be found. The Birch and Juniper also in time disappear, 

 until in Lahoul only a cultivated "Willow is met with. This totaj 

 disappearance of the trees from Lahoul forms perhaps its most 

 noteworthy feature. 



In addition to the diminution of humidity, the fall in tem- 

 perature on passing across these regions must also largely 

 account for the changes in the vegetation ; indeed, since Pangi and 

 Lahoul alike depend for their moisture more upon the melting 

 Bnow than the rainfall, it must be attributed only to the aridity 

 of the climate of Lahoul that arboreous and bushy vegetation dis- 

 appears from that country. 



In conclusion, the existence of marked changes within so limited 

 a territory shows how very important it is, in reporting collections 

 from mountainous countries, to note carefully the river-basin from 

 which the specimens were gathered. 



I should mention that I am greatly indebted to my friend Dr. 

 Hutchison for kindly superintending the operations of my native 

 collector in Chumba, and to Mr. Ellis, Eorest Officer, Pangi, for 

 adding to my collection much valued material. My sudden recall 

 to India has necessarily prevented my personal revision of the 

 proof-sheets, which Mr. W. B. Hemsley has kindly undertaken 

 for me. 



