30 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF 
also be seen in the presence during that season of: numerous species of Gralle and 
Anseres, as illustrated by Mr. Hodgson, who observes, that many of these generally 
make a mere stage of the valley in ‘their migrations to and from the vast plains of 
India and Tibet. The migration southwards of snipes, teal, ducks, herons, storks, 
cranes, and woodcocks, respectively follows in succession from August to November, 
and their return takes place in the same order, beginning with the commencement of 
March and continuing till the middle of May.* 
| In 
* In connection with this notice of the vegetation of the Himalayas, it will be interesting to ascertain if the 
same phenomena result from elevation in a still more southern mass. The Neelgherries, in 11° of N. latitude, 
have their highest peak, Dodapet, elevated eight thousand seven hundred feet. The general elevation of the 
level ground around Ootacamund is about eight thousand, andiat Dimhutty about six thousand feet above the 
level of the sea. The mass is considerable, being in length thirty-five miles, and fifteen in breadth, containing 
four hundred and seventy square miles of undulating country. The temperature is described as being generally 
30° below that of the neigbouring plains. At their base these mountains are surrounded by a dense jungle, in 
which elephants, bisons,and tigers abound, where formerly rice, sugar-cane, betle, cocoa-nut, and plantain 
were cultivated. The acclivities are likewise covered with a gigantic forest of teak, tamarind, mangoe, ebony 
and bamboos; among which, in favourable situations, Borassus flabelliformis and Phenix sylvestris occur as 
palms. The Mimosas, Cassias and Pongamia glabra afford specimens of arborescent Leguminosae, while 
Thespesia populnea is a malvaceous tree. Hopea supplies the place of Shorea as one of the Diptercocarpee ; 
Xanthochymus and Garcinia exist as Guttifere; and species of Strychnos are found here, though not occurring in 
the jungles of the Northern provinces, while Myrsinee, Laurin and arborescent Euphorbiacee are common to 
both. This belt of jungle extends from three thousand five hundred to five thousand feet of elevation, is 
very unhealthy, and the distinctly marked region of fever. Above this the country is open, the wood in 
clumps and patches, the climate delightful and healthy. The range of the thermometer is about 43°, from 31° 
the minimum in winter, to 74° the maximum in summer: but this, from the mode in which the observations 
are recorded, I have not been able to ascertain so exactly as I could wish. During the cold season Mr, 
Young gives the utmost range of the thermometer as 28°, between 31° and 59°, but as not more than 10° 
during the rest of the year. The maximum he states in the sun to be 85°, and the minimum 56°, but in 
the shade 20° to 25° lower ; and that the average in the rainy season is about 64°, from which the thermometer 
hardly ever varies above two or three degrees. The Neelgherries experience the influence of both the S.W. 
and N.E.monsoons. The elasticity of the air is proved whe the distance to which sounds are conveyed, and by 
its effects on the animal spirits. ' 
Though materials do not exist in such abundance for giving a view of the vegetation of the Neelgherries, yet 
there are sufficient to shew that a similarity in vegetation is produced by a correspondence with the Himalayas 
in meteorological phenomena. Many of the plants of the Neelgherries are enumerated in Dr. Wallich’s 
catalogue of the East-Indian Herbarium ; a list of genera was published by M. Leschenault de la Tour, 
and 
Dr. Wight has furnished me with several additional names, so that the materials are sufficient for giving a 
general idea of the nature of the vegetation; but a difficulty occurs in the exact localities of the plants not 
being given, nor the seasons of vegetation indicated ; but as no snow falls, and the cold weather is of shorter 
tinus nee, we may expect the Flora to be less completely European, particularly as the long-continued 
equabilit - of the rest of the year, and the rainy season, will be favourable to many genera of tropical families. 
Thus, though none of the pines or other Conifere are found, the scarlet flowers of the Rhododendron arboreum, 
with a white rose climbing to the tops of the highest trees, form the ornament of these as of the northern 
hills. The other European genera are Andromeda, Gualtheria, Vaccinium Ranunculus, Thalictrum, Clematis, 
™ 
Anemone, 
