CLIMATE OF HIMALAYA. 255 



than in the more arid and variable climate of the western 

 Himalaya. 



On attaining an elevation of about 6000 feet, the vegetation 

 has become temperate. The purely tropical forms have almost 

 entirely disappeared, and in their place the forest abounds in 

 trees of temperate climes. Species of Oak, Holly, Cherry, Laurel, 

 Rhododendron, Styrax, and Magnolia, of gigantic size, from the 

 forest, densely covered with Mosses and Orchidese, and with an 

 underwood of species of Berberis, Daphne, Lonicera, many 

 species of Vitis, and smaller species of Bamboo than tliose of the 

 tropical region. Ferns are at such elevations extremely abundant. 



From the station of Darjiling, the view in every direction 

 overlooks mountain ranges, covered with dense forest, except in 

 a few spots where partial clearances have been made for culti- 

 vation. No bare or grassy mountains meet the eye, no rocks or 

 precipices afford any relief from the prevailing uniformity, which, 

 but for tlie magnificence of tlie snowy mountains behind, would 

 be undoubtedly monotonous and fatiguing. 



The ascent from the plains of north-west India to Simla, is 

 about the same length as that to Darjiling, but presents the 

 most marked contrast in vegetation, being throughout bare and 

 grassy. The road ascends at first in ten miles to an elevation of 

 6500 feet, tlien descends to about 1000 feet, and ascends gradually 

 to 5000. The ascent commences from the Pinjore Dhiin, a 

 lateral valley which runs at the foot of the mountains from the 

 Sutlej to the Jumna rivers. There is no forest in this valley, 

 which is open, and to a great extent cultivated. The lower 

 hills are covered with a shrubby vegetation characteristic of a 

 dry climate. Species of Zizyphus, Carissa, Butea, Adhatoda, 

 Bergera, ^gle, Flacourtia, and other common shrubs, with one 

 species of bamboo, and only one fig. After the ascent com- 

 mences, these bushes are only scattered at intervals over the 

 hills, the greater part of the surface being bare and grassy. A 

 similar open country extends all the Avay to Simla, except where 

 a few fir-trees (Pinus longifolia) crest the ridges, and in the 

 more shady ravines, which are lined with a few small trees. 



The transition from tropical to temperate vegetation begins, 

 in so far as it is indicated by the small amount of shrubby vege- 

 tation, at about 5000 feet, but on the more exposed slopes, 

 plants of warm climates extend up 1000 feet higlier, and the 

 herbaceous vegetation, principally grasses, is entirely composed 

 of tropical forms. 



It is only on approaching Simla, and attaining a height of 

 nearly 7000 feet, that forest vegetation commences ; at that 

 elevation, open forests of Oak, Rhododendron, and Andromeda, 

 intermixed with several species of Fines, and a great number of 



