terest. Passing by the tropical Hodgsonia heierocUta, a prodigious Cucurbit, with slender 

 climbing stems 100 feet long, and gigantic flowers, every petal of which terminates in 

 half a dozen corkscrews exceeding the span of any man's fingers, we arrive at the follow- 

 ing account of a hardy tree of such magnificent beauty that even the Victoria Lily is 

 eclipsed in its presence. 



Magnolia Campbellii. — This is a large forest tree abounding on the outer ranges of 

 Sikkim, at elevations of 8 — 10,000 feet, appearing on the road above Pacheem, and 

 thence ascending to the top of Sinchul 8000 feet, and Tonglo 10,000 feet ; though occa- 

 sionally seen on the central ranges at the same elevations, it is much less frequent. The 

 trunk is straight, often 80 feet high, and 12 to 20 in girth, covered with black bark. 

 The flowers are produced abundantly in April, at the end of all the branches, Avhen the 

 tree is yet perfectly leafless; they vary from white to deep rose colour or utmost crimson, 

 and Mi size /ro??! 6 to 10 inches {in diameter.) In May the tree is in full leaf, and the 

 fruit ripens in October, when a few small and often deformed flowers are sometimes pro- 

 duced. The branch represented by Mr. Fitcu only bears three flowers and a bud, and 

 yet it is with difficulty included within the tpace of 224 square inches. 



Meconopsis Simplicifolia. — The most beautiful and conspicuous of all the Alpine 

 flowers of Sikkim, if not of the whole Himalaya ; common in rocky and gravelly places 

 at 12,000 feet elevation and upwards, where it expands its large delicate deep violet colored 

 blossoms in May, exposed to the violent winds and snow-storms of those inhospitable re- 

 gions. It would be a most brilliant addition to out-of-door gardens, where it "would no 

 doubt succeed perfectly, provided it be kept damp and cool, and not exposed to too long 

 sunshine." 



Meconopsis Nipalensis. — Of this grand species we have the following account : — " This 

 superb plant, when seen from a distance, resembles a small yellow Hollyhock. It was 

 discovered by Dr. Wallich's collectors in Nipal, and I found it in the damp interior val- 

 leys of Sikkim, growing amidst a rank and luxuriant herbage, on the skirts of Silver Fir 

 forests (Abies Webbiana,) at 10 — 11,000 feet above the level of the sea. "We need not 

 say that the two last plants are Poppies, and no doubt cultivable without difficulty. Let 

 the reader imagine a mass composed of the scarlet Papaver hracteatum or oricntale, sur- 

 rounded by the golden bells of this Meconopsis nipalensis, and bordered with an edging 

 of the intensely violet Meconojjsis simplicifolia, and he will form a picture which, for 

 brilliancy of coloring and magnificent breadth of efi'ect, has never yet been realized. 



Decaisnea Insignis inhabits wooded valleys in the central regions of the Himalaya. 

 Dr. Hooker first gathered it in the Lachen and Lachong valleys, at elevations of 7000 to 

 8000 feet, and afterwards at Chela, where it ascends to nearly 10,000 feet. Its green 

 flowers appear in May, and are scarcely visible amongst the leaves ; the fruit on the other 

 hand, which ripens in October, is very conspicuous and handsome, of a pale yellow 

 colour, and full of a white juicy pulp, that is very sweet and pleasant; its fruit is eagerly 

 sought after by the Lepchas, who call the plant " Nomorchi," and it is the " Loodooma" 

 of the natives of Bhotan. It would appear to be a plant of very uncommon aspect, re- 

 sembling a 3'oung and very slender fast grown ash tree, among ths feathery leaves of 

 which hang clusters of great yellow fruit, somewhat resembling ram's horns. Its 

 learned discoverer regards it as well worthy of cultivation in England for its fruit alone, 

 " It would require protection from spring frosts, but will, no doubt, prove otherwise 

 hardy." 



Vaccinium Salignum and Serpens. — " The genus Taccinium, which is mostly repre- 

 sented in northern climates by deciduous-leaved shrubs with small flowers, assumes a 



VOL. 5. 



K 3. 



