TO THIBET. 39 
the time we left Sio, has been exceedingly bare, covered with 
gravel where it is rocky, and the vegetation, of course, extremely 
scanty, save on the banks of streams, which occasionally spread, 
forming a green marshy turf, which affords a good number of 
small plants. 
“On the 30th ult., I noted all the species which occurred 
during a march of ten miles, and found the number to be fifty- 
nine (exclusive of Cryptogamia). At our present altitude, the 
plants are, with scarcely an exception, European or Siberian forms. 
Artemisia, Astragali, and Potentille prevail. The only tree is 
Juniper, and a miserable affair it is. The shrubs consist of Hip- 
pophiie, Tamariz, Rosa (Rosa Webliana, I believe, in great profu- 
sion), and two kinds of Ribes, one is very rare, R. nigrum, and 
bears a large and pleasantly tasted fruit, Willow, Fraxinus, Colutea, 
and Rhamnus. In marshy spots grow some pretty Gentians ; 
one, found to-day, seems to be Gentiana Moorcroftiana of 
Wallich; also a minute Ranunculus, and a Carex, &c. The only 
Rhubarb Y have yet met with is, perhaps, the Rheum spiciforme of 
Royle; but its flowering season is past, and even the seeds are 
all dispersed. 
“The above is a rough and confused sketch of our progress, bo- 
tanically speaking ; and now to pass to more personal matters. We — 
have been sadly annoyed, occasionally, by heavy rain, and even soaked _ 
through almost daily. My poor specimens did not relish such 
weather at all, and have suffered terribly in appearance. My col- - 
lections are very large, though, owing to our constant movement - 
from place to place, I have been unable to do more than gather - 
the plants: to examine and name them was, obviously, impracti- - 
cable. Since quitting Simla, I have obtained upwards of four 
hundred species with which I was previously unacquainted. Now, - 
however, the country and the season are becoming unfavourable, - 
and in a very few weeks I shall find nothing, and shall have thus - 
a little respite from collecting, and get time to compare and deter- - 
mine the produce of my labours. 
“ As to our future progress, the present. intention is to go ire 
marches farther up this river, and then turn to the north, over the 
