148 DR. HOOKER's MISSION TO INDIA. 
have examined, are situated. With regard to Pines, this must be true; 
for we have «o species whatever between the level of the P. longifolia, 
at 2,000, and Taxus, at 10,000 feet; and yet I possess P. Webbiana, 
a true Larch, and several Junipers, from Sikkim. 
I do not doubt the influences I enumerated, as modifying the climate 
of Sikkim, tend to confine the alpine vegetation to a higher level here. 
The climate of Sikkim is certainly much more equable, and equability 
characterizes much loftier levels here, than in any part of the Hima- 
laya west of this, or than Bhootan; whence arises the rich list of 
genera which delight in such a climate. Though poor in many of 
the alpine genera, and much poorer than similar elevations in the 
north-west or in Bhootan, Sikkim is probably considerably richer in 
Orders which belong to a damp temperate region, than any other part 
of the Himalayan range of an equal area; my collection abounding 
peculiarly in Araliacee, Begonia, Cyrtandree, Orchidee, Hricee, es- 
pecially Rhododendrons, Symplocos, Urticee, Magnoliacee, Oaks, Palms, 
and Bamboos, which latter, I expect, attain a much greater elevation 
in Sikkim than either cast or west of it, as well as being more 
numerous in species. 
We encamped on marshy ground, somewhat below the summit of the 
mountain, somewhat sheltered by the Rhododendrons and by a little 
hill. We cut logs of wood to floor our tent, the black soil being so 
oozy that we sank in it. Continued rain all the evening, with thick 
fog and a penetrating Scotch mist, rendered the spot most uncom- 
fortable, just like the top of Ben Lawers, in regalar Highland weather. 
Except a transient glimpse into Nepal, we had no view, rolling mists 
tumbling over the mountain-top and obscuring all. .I walked about 
a little, collecting, but was soon so saturated, that in a strong wind it 
was difficult to keep tolerably warm, with the thermometer at 50°. 
Our poor Lepchas were miserably off, having only the little bamboo 
io thatch their small sheds withal, and no blankets or other covering. 
Four bamboo-sticks, and a thatch, afforded their only protection from 
the inclemency of the weather, and under such shelter they crouched 
on the sodden turf, in groups of two or three, huddled together. The 
Hindoos of our party we were obliged to accommodate in the tent : 
iwo were already ill with fever and ague, and one of the Lepchas with 
I diarrhea, from the sudden transition from the deep hot valleys below, 
to this much colder region. Having no reason to anticipate such bad 
