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THE FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT, 

 (JODHPUR AND JAISALMER). 



BY 



E. Blatter, S.J. and Prof. F. Hallberg. 



The Indian Desert is perhaps the least known part of the plains 

 of India. We have seen only two papers dealing with the vegeta- 

 tion of W. Rajputana. One is by G. King, entitled : " Sketch 

 of the Flora of Rajputana." It appeared in the Indian Forester 

 IV (1879) 226-236. The other is an "Introductory Note to 

 Jodhpur and Jaisalmer trees and plants." The author and pub- 

 lisher are not mentioned and no date is given. We have been 

 told that Miss Macadam is the author. If we compare the general 

 arrangement of the pamphlet and the treatment of the subject with 

 another paper written by Miss Macadam in 1890, viz., "A list of 

 trees and plants of Mt. Abu," and published at Jodhpur, we think 

 we are right in concluding that to Miss Macadam belongs also the 

 authorship of the former booklet. It contains the vernacular 

 and botanical names, together with short descriptive notes 

 " of trees and plants found during the months of November, 

 December, Jaauary and February in the neighbourhood of Jodhpur, 

 also during a mai-ch from Ealotra to Jaisalmer and a halt there of 

 ten days in December." About 140 species are enumerated. 

 These are the only records of the vegetation of the Rajputana 

 Desert. The vast deserts of N. Africa, Arabia, Central Asia, and 

 even of the New World have attracted the attention of many 

 Botanists, but the Indian Desert has been sadly neglected. 



In October and November 1917 we visited a considerable part 

 of W. Rajputana, accompanied by Messrs. T. S. Sabnis, B.Sc, and 

 D. B. Bulsara. We started from Jodhpur, went by train to 

 Phalodi, from there on camel back to Bap, from Bap to Jaisal- 

 mer, from Jaisalmer to Barmer, and from Barmer to Luni 

 Junction. 



The results of our tour, botanical, geological and meteorological, 

 are laid down in the following pages. Part i will contain a list of 

 the plants with the description of new species, whilst Part II will 

 deal with the ecological side of the flora. Most of the plates 

 appearing in Part I will find their full explanation in Part II. 



We wish to use this opportunity to thank the Agent to the 

 Governor-General and Lt.-Col. Kilkelly, I. M.S. (at that time Acting 

 Resident of the W. Rajputana States), who took a keen interest in 

 our work, and also the Durbars of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer for the 

 generous help they gave us throughout our journey. 



