Thea. ' ‘THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. 123 
The principal families to which the rest of the known plants of the’ southern ‘provinces 
of China may be referred are, Dilleniacee,; Anonaceea,, Malvacee, Aurantiacee, Sapin- 
dacee ; tropical Leguminosae, as Anagyris, Poinciana, Erythrina; Melastomacea, many 
tropical Rubiacee and. Synantheree, Scrophularinee, Verbenacee and Acanthacee, Laurine, 
Euphorbiacee, Urticee,, Commelinee, and tropical, Graminee.. Species of the genera 
Cocculus, Capparis, Helieteres, Hiptage, Aglaia, Cissus, Combretum, Quisqualis, Marlea, 
Lawsonia, Myrtus, Eugenia, Passifiora, Callicarpa, Cordia, Convolvulus, Argyreia (Lett- 
somia. Roxb.) Bignonia, Jasminum, Hoya, Ardisia; Sideroxylon, Trophis, Antidesma, 
Boehmeria, Basella, Begonia, Musa, Crinum, Philydrum, Aloe, ‘Amaryllis, Asphodelus, 
Melanthium and Eriocaulon... nit] i . 
If we compare this with the Flora of, Southern India, we shall find that the same 
great features are common to both; and though the northern provinces of China are more 
European in. their Flora than we any where; meet with in the plains of India, yet do 
their lakes abound with the same plants, and their plains are covered with similar crops. 
But the Flora of the mountains, including that of the most northern parts of China, has 
an almost universal identity of genera with that found covering the elevated belt of 
the Himalaya. If we commence with the bases of these mountains, and pass succes- 
sively through the several belts, and analogous to what takes place between the parallels 
of latitude of 40° and 45°, experience the rapid decrease of mean temperatures, and the 
quick succession of vegetable productions, we shall first find a vegetation similar to 
that of the southern provinces; with the agriculture of the banks of the canal, consisting 
of rice, millet, amaranth, and an esculent arum, with ginger, turmeric, a little cotton 
and sugar, at one season, succeeded by wheat, barley, and buckwheat, in the cold 
weather months, (v. p. 18); even the mountain rice, lauded by Loureiro, meets here with 
a congenial climate. Along with plantains, oleander, and some of the orange tribe, and 
the various plants enumerated at p. 13, we meet with some which were long considered 
peculiar to China; as Marlea begonifolia, and Houttuynia cordata, with species of 
Chioranthus, Incarvillea, and Hiptage. At the foot of the mountains of Silhet we meet 
even with the Chinese fruit Zongan and other species of Euphoria. In ascending we 
pass through different gradations of vegetation, until reaching the regions of the 
oaks, and rhododendrons, which is immediately succeeded by that of the pines, we meet 
in the mid region with a Flora which must approximate to that of the mountains of 
the central provinces of China; for here we find the Chinese genera Aelia and Eurya, 
together with Stauntonia, Kadsura, Hovenia, Ophiopogon, and Pardanthus, as well as 
Deutzia, first found in Japan, to which new species have been added by Bungé from the 
north of China, and by Dr.Wallich from the Himalayas. In Nepal the latter has 
also discovered Hovenia dulcis, Taxus nucifera, and species of the equally Chinese 
genera Camellia, Cleyera, Podocarpus, Raphiolepis, Photinia, and Eriobotrya.* But it is 
in 
* A resemblance may also be carried on between the products of the mountains of the two countries. As the 
camphor, varnish, wood-oil, oil and tallow trees, constitute a part of the natural riches of China ; so we 
have in the Himalayas and at their foot, Camphora glandulifera, discovered by Dr.Wallich, containing solid 
. R 2 grains 
