22 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF 
along the summit, and their camp on the 24th September attained an elevation of 
11,280 feet. Here the Juniper, with Black and Red Currants, were found. The 
thermometer in the sun rose at noon to 79°, and in the shade to 67:5°. The following 
morning it was 41° at daybreak. In proceeding along this ridge they attained an eleva- 
tion of thirteen thousand feet. This part of the mountain was of course far above the 
limit of forest : it was however clothed with luxuriant pasturage, richly enamelled with 
a thousand flowers, many of which were familiar to them as the production of Europe.” 
‘‘ The highest mountain ascended, though a little to the southward of this, was 
Kedarkanta. Crossing the Tonse, where the thermometer rose to 102°, though the 
point of junction of this river with the Roopin is elevated nearly five thousand feet, we 
ascend a pretty gradual slope, and pass through a very splendid forest, composed of 
the same trees as seen elsewhere at similar heights. The encampment was in an open 
glade, surrounded with magnificent trees of Pinus Webbiana and Quercus Semecarpifolia, 
among which Rhododendron campanulatum formed a large straggling shrub, in full flower 
even in the midst of the melting snow. An excellent view was obtained of the snowy 
mountains: many of the peaks were completely covered with snow, others in many 
places displayed the bare rock. The thermometer was in the evening at 61°, and sunk 
in the morning to 46°. The road continued through the forest, where the Birch and 
Hazel were seen in flower. On emerging from this, the ground was found level, 
extended, covered with a thick coating of grass, and much furrowed by an Alpine 
Arvicola ; a little stream produced by the melting snow flowed across ; its temperature 
was 42°, and its sides were lined with a species of Sphagnum. Primula Stuartii and 
denticulata, with a deep blue Gentian and Caltha Napalensis, formed a bright contrast 
of colours. Barometer 20.25, thermometer attached 70°. From this the highest peak, 
elevated twelve thousand six hundred and eighty-nine feet, was found covered with deep 
beds of snow, which had in many places melted away from the lower one. On ascend- 
ing the latter, a beautiful purple Primula, nearly allied to P. Stuartii, and Ranunculus 
polypetalus, were alone found in flower; a little below these, a Phalangium, a Fritillaria 
and Bistorta, were found ; with Rhododendron lepidotum and anthopogon, as well as Salix 
Lindleyana, forming diminutive shrubs. From the higher peak, at a late season of the 
year, I have also received many of the same plants, with Ranunculus hirtellus, and 
species of Draba, Agrostis, and Festuca. The barometer at noon stood at 19°55, 
thermometer attached 70°. Thermometer detached 63°.” 
Further to the eastward, in the province of Kemaon, the same appearances pre- 
sent themselves. Captain Webb, on the 2Ist June 1818, at eleven thousand six 
hundred and eighty feet of elevation, to the southward of Josheemuth, found woods 
of oak, long-leaved pine (P. excelsa?), and Rhododrendron, and the surface covered 
with rich vegetation as high as the knee, with beds of stawberries and currant bushes 
in full flower all around. On the following day he ascended the pass of Pilgointi 
or Pilkonta, and found its elevation to be more than twelve thousand seven hundred 
feet above the sea; no snow was seen contiguous to the spot. The surface was 
covered 
