IX VARIOUS PAllTS OF TPIE GLOBE. 233 



highest spots in the mountains of India, associated with tall 

 Melastomas, Rhododendrons, Magnolias, filling the air with 

 their fragrant perfume, and several sorts of Oak. Intermixed 

 with these Orchids constantly prevail, and in great variety. 



It is only where the forest of Laurels ceases, and the summit 

 of the mountains becomes narrower and can no longer retain a 

 covering of vegetable mould, when the air becomes more rarefied 

 and colder, at an elevation of more than 7000 feet, that the 

 appearance of the forest trees changes ; they then become 

 dwarfed and crooked, and their leaves become smaller, stiffer, and 

 harder ; long-leaved Usneas hang from the mossy branches, and 

 every thing brings to recollection the colder regions of the Alps. 

 Certain kinds of Heathworts (Ericaceae), such as Andromedas, 

 Vacciniums, Clethras, and low-growing Rhododendrons, together 

 with a species of Gale (Myrica), cover the highest tops. Other 

 tribes, never found in the lower parts of India — and which we 

 imagine to be, if not indigenous exclusively with us, at least 

 altogether ultratropical — surprise us on these elevations, and 

 bring to memory our^ native land. Here grow Valerians, 

 Ranunculuses, Daisies, Hypericums, Honeysuckles, Gnapha- 

 liums, Svvertias, and a pretty little Gentian, rooting in the dry 

 ashes of the lava ; all these grow in high situations, but under 

 the Line, or near it. Not less striking are the humid elevated 

 valleys and the enclosed fields lying between the summits of 

 these volcanic mountains. In such places may be foimd Violets, 

 Elders, Mints, Potentillas, Centaureas, Spiraeas, Sorrels ; Iso- 

 pyrums, and even Carexes make their appearance. It is, how- 

 ever, to be noticed, that all these forms are peculiar to their 

 own soil, so that none can be identified with ours, unless it be a 

 few Cryptogamic plants which are thoroughly European. The 

 Turfmoss (Sphagnum), on a cushion of which one treads in these 

 Alpine forests, does not indicate the slightest difference. 



These details show how much the Flora of the Indian Islands 

 is distinguished by its richness, luxuriance, variety, and novelty. 

 It is an archipelago whose Flora will long remain an inex- 

 haustible source of important discoveries ; and we may assert 

 without hesitation that, in this respect, there is hardly another 

 part of the earth, or another group of tropical islands of similar 

 extent, which can compete with it. Africa and New Holland 

 are so behind in this respect that I need not bring them into 

 comparison. America only approaches it ; yet on that continent 

 a luxuriant vegetation by no means occurs with the same uni- 

 formity ; in America the summits of the lifeless granitic 

 mountains are quite naked ; barren quartz-sand, which is 

 hardly known in the Indian Islands, is there abundant. In the 

 low-lands of America, often overflowed by mighty streams, or 



