bess 
THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. 25 
and Kemaon, a general uniformity is observed; if we compare with these the plants 
obtained by Dr. Wallich from Gossaingthan, a lofty mountain and place of religious ° 
resort, in 28° of N. latitude, and about seven days’ journey N. by W. from Katmandoo, 
in Nepal, we shall find that many of the same families and genera prevail in each, as 
well as a great many of the same species. In the more northern mountains we find 
an excess in the families of Ranunculacee, Crucifere, Caryophyllee, Umbellifera, Gen- 
tianee, Boraginee, Pediculares, and Primulacee@, and in some sections of Leguminosae, 
Composite, Labiate, and Graminee ; but that the same botanical features mark both 
parts of this extended range will be evident, if we observe that almost all the new 
genera discovered in the mountains of Nepal are also to be found in those of 
Gurhwal. Of these may be enumerated Cyananthus, Codonopsis, Crawfurdia, Hemi- 
phragma, Parochetus, Argostemma, Platystemma, Leycesteria, Astilbe, Leucostemma, 
Acosmia, Cyclostegia, Roylea, Colquhounia. Of species, it will be sufficient to mention 
that many of the Conifere, Amentacee, Rosacea, Campanulacee, Caprifoliacee, Savi- 
Ffragee, Valerianeea, Dipsacee, and Composite are the same in both, and that we equally 
find in each such plants as Rhododendron campanulatum, lepidotum, and anthopogon, 
Andromeda fastigiata, Sambucus adnata, Nardostachys Jatamansi, Salvia nubicola, 
Primula Stuartii and denticulata, with many others. To these it may be added, that 
the same species of the following genera, of which only single ones have yet been found 
in the Himalaya, are met with along the whole extent investigated ; viz. of Actea, Cimi- 
cifuga, Podophyllum, Sambucus, Monotropa, Philadelphus, §c. Among Cryptogamic 
plants there is here, as elsewhere, a much greater uniformity over a great extent of 
space. : 
Though there is this great similarity in the botanical features, it is not to be sup- 
posed that it is universal, for several genera belonging to the mountains of Nepal have 
not yet been discovered in those to the northward: as Triosteum, Tricyrtis, Neillia, 
Sanguisorba, Glossocomia, Dactylicapnos, Eriophytum, &c.. So also there are some in 
the latter which are not enumerated as forming a portion of the Flora of the former : 
as Isopyrum, Dictamnus, Turritis, Melianthus, Orobus, Polemonium, Abelia, Echium, 
Onosma, Moltkia, Syringa, Oxyria, Euphrasia, Hippophae, Datisca, and Ephedra. 
If instead of the eastward and southward we proceed to the westward and north, we 
shall find, though with considerable modifications, that many of the same appearances 
present themselves; for though changes take place, yet every thing indicates as in 
ascending from the plains, or in proceeding from the equator to the poles, so from east- 
ward to westward, that all changes are gradual whenever no great natural obstacles 
intervene to prevent plants diffusing themselves by degrees all around; and this we 
would see to be more strikingly the case if we could examine the spaces intervening 
between Nepal and Cashmere, or between the latter and Caucasus. 
The most northern point of the Himalaya accessible to my plant collectors was the 
mountain barrier which encircles the valley of Cashmere: to reach this by the com- 
mencement of the rains, when from the melting of the snow the passes become acces- 
E sible, 
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