Scitaminec.] THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. 357 
Japan ; but, as we shall presently see, there is no reason why they should not be found 
much further north, as the root-stocks, from their under-ground situation, are protected 
from the vicissitudes of the seasons, and the herbaceous parts make their appearance 
above-ground only in the warmest part of the year. 
The genera found in India are, Kempferia, Alpinia, Amomum, Elettaria (which is 
referred to both the two latter), with Dr.Wallich’s two new genera, Monolophus and 
Gastrochilus : these are principally confined to southern latitudes, as the islands of the 
Indian Archipelago; along the Malayan Peninsula to Chittagong and Silhet, with a 
few about Rajmahl ; or in the central range of mountains, and in the Indian Peninsula; 
where I have no doubt many remain to be discovered, on the sides of the Neelgherries 
and of the Malabar Ghauts. The genera Costus, Curcuma, Globba, Hedychium, and 
Angiber, though equally common in southern latitudes, extend also from Silhet to the 
Sutlej, along the foot of the Himalayas, and even ascend them to considerable eleva- 
tions, as well as Roscoea, which indeed is found as high as 9,000 feet on mountains 
covered, in winter, with snow. 
Costus speciosus extends from the Indian Peninsula and Rangoon to Silhet, and thence 
along the foot of the hills to Nahn. It is common in the Kheree jungle, where are also 
found Zingiber ligulatumand capitatum, with Globba orivensis? in the Kheree Pass. 
The Costus is the only species of the family found in the plains of Northern India, being 
common and in flower in the jungles about Saharunpore in the rainy season. 
Curcuma angustifolia is alone mentioned in Central India: either this, or a species 
scarcely to be distinguished from it, is common on the sides of mountains, and in very 
arid situations in the Himalayas. Several Scitamine@, we know, ascend the mountains 
in southern latitudes; the Cardamom Plant, Elettaria Cardamomum, for instance, is 
found only on those of the Malabar coast; but in the northern portions of the Himalayas, 
even the Ginger and Turmeric, with a species of Curcuma, C. Kuchoor, nob., are culti- 
vated as high as 4,500 feet. Globba secunda, nob., occurs at Jurreepanee and on the 
Agurwal. Species of Hedychium are common in Nepal and the mountains of Silhet, 
as Chirraponjee; while the splendid Hedychium coccineum occurs in vallies elevated 
5,000 feet; and H. spicatum attains a height of four and five feet, at elevations of 
6,000 and 7,000 feet, also in 30° of N. latitude on the limestone rocks of Mussooree 
and the Suen Range; owing to the frequently-mentioned meteorological peculiarities 
of these mountains in the rainy season. But the genus Roscoea, which is peculiar to 
these mountains, is that found at the greatest elevations. R. purpurea, the most 
common species in Nepal and Kemaon, is extremely abundant at Simla and Mussooree, 
and as far down as Jurreepanee. AR. clatior is found at Dhunoultee, and, with the 
former, also in Nepal and Kemaon.  R. spicata, discovered on Sheopore and Gossain- 
than, occurs in the same situations as Hedychium spicatum; but R. alpina, nob., is that 
which reaches the greatest elevation, as I have found it as high as 9,000 feet on Tuen 
Tibba immediately after the accession of the rains, and on places from where the snow 
had just melted (like the snow-drop in European countries in early spring); but it 
may 
