204 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
the mountains, and no plants in the plains at this season; and I 
shall surely be able, while in the neighbourhood, to pay it a 
visit some time next summer, when there will be better bo- 
tanizing. My object, at present, is to get down to 3-4,000 
feet, where I shall find a cold weather vegetation. With regard 
to next year I am quite in the dark. If any further steps are 
taken with regard to our original Chinese commission, I hope 
to be ordered back to proceed to the southward ; if not, I should 
like to spend the summer in the range to the north of the Indus, 
crossing it back and forwards in two or three places, and pene- 
trating as far into Chinese Tartary as practicable. The northern 
face of these mountains is understood to be without villages for 
a very considerable distance from the crest of the ridge, which 
would enable a traveller, with little baggage, and carrying provi- 
sions for himself and party, to penetrate to a considerable distance. 
This, however, would only be possible to the eastward, the wild 
Mahommedan tribes to the westward being by no means trust- 
worthy, indeed, absolutely the reverse; and I have no wish to 
hazard another captivity, or worse. I shall, I hope, hear more of 
Dr. Hooker’s motions bye-and-bye. I look upon the talked of em- 
bassy to Lassa as highly problematical ; and unless positive instruc- 
tions are forwarded from Pekin by the Emperor, no European 
will be allowed to pass the boundary. Cashmere, therefore, I am 
inclined to regard as the most likely rendezvous, should he visit 
India; but his plans, however, being still quite unsettled, it i5 — 
vain to speculate at present. date 
“ Pray accept my best thanks for your kind offer and hints re- — 
garding books; there are so many which I should like to have, - 
that it is difficult for me to name. Ledebour's Flora Altaica would 
be invaluable, for though I have the Flora Rossica, it is incom- 
plete. I think, also, I cannot do without Jacquemont, as most of the. 
species figured in his work are from Kunawur and Cashmere: of 
that, however, you are a much better judge than I can be, 
whether I ought to get Wallich’s Pl. Asiat. Rar., Jacquemont, 
&e., or be confined to less costly books. My expenses are 20W — : 
almost entirely limited to carriage ; so that I trust soon to have it — | 
