INTRODUCTION. 
In a work on the Botany and Natural Productions in general of the Himalaya 
Mountains, any reference to the Climate and Natural History of other parts of India 
may by many be considered out of place, but if we are desirous of observing the 
changes in animal and vegetable forms dependent on climate, it is necessary, before we 
proceed to notice the European types found on the declivities of the Himalaya, to take 
a cursory view of those found at their bases which are characteristic of India. 
This, though involving a consideration of some of the causes which produce a 
difference in climate itself, will have the advantage of exhibiting that the great 
diversity of soil and climate to be found in the British possessions in India, is 
capable of supporting almost all the natural productions of every region of the globe. 
Though the British possessions do not extend beyond 31° of northern latitude, India, 
according to its natural boundaries, stretches from 35° to 22°, with its peninsula 
extending to 8° of northern latitude, and from 67° to 95° of eastern longitude. Its 
extreme length from Cape Comorin to Cashmere is about 2,000 miles, and its greatest 
breadth from the bend of the Burrampooter to the mouths of the Indus must be 
nearly as great; but from its irregular figure, the superficial area is not estimated 
higher than at 1,280,000 English miles. It is bounded on the S.W. by the Indus, 
and on the N.E. by the Himalayan mountains, while the Indian ocean washes its 
two remaining sides: the whole forming a kind of irregular diamond figure, to which 
the island of Ceylon forms a pendent. 
From the southern portions of India approaching so near to the Equator, while its 
northern provinces are nearly in the latitude of the southern parts of Europe, we may 
form some idea of the great extent of territory, and be prepared to find great diver- 
sities of climate, and consequently of the productions of every kingdom of Nature, 
from its long extended coasts, washed by a tropical ocean, to the tops of its several 
ranges of mountains, among which, as among those of the world, the Himalayas 
_ Stand pre-eminent, whether we consider their extent or elevation, their diversity of 
climate or of production. 
As the form and slope of the country, the direction of the rivers, and the climate 
of the different parts, depends in a great measure on the direction and elevation of 
the mountain masses, as well as the soil on their mineralogical. composition, it is 
obvious, that before proceeding to other subjects, we should first obtain a general idea 
of the number and position of the several mountain ranges of India, and this may be 
b : conveniently 
