THE BANAHAL PASS. TI 
The top of the pass was bare, not, however, because I had got above 
the limit of trees, for at a short distance Pine-forest might be seen 
considerably higher. The snow had evidently only recently melted 
from the grassy slopes, very few plants being in flower. The most 
conspicuous was an elegant little bright blue Boraginea, a species, I 
think, of Moltkia, which was extremely plentiful. The descent on 
the south side, which was very steep, was almost bare of trees, only a 
few small ones (and not one Pine) being visible in the ravines. The 
valley of Banahal, into which I descended from the top of the pass, 
was about 5,500 feet in height, or only a few hundred feet above 
the town of Kashmir, so that circumstances were favourable for deter- 
mining the amount of change which had taken place in the vegeta- 
tion. The first difference which I noticed, was, that everything was 
much further advanced : plants, which in Kashmir were only beginning 
to come into leaf, being here in full flower. Many, indeed most of 
the species, however, were the same as in Kashmir: some of the most 
characteristic plants (Rosa Webbiana, Fothergilla, Ulmus, Zizyphus, &c.) 
Myricaria, however, had disappeared, as well as the two Irides which 
were so abundant and conspicuous there. It is more difficult to deter- 
mine what species had made their appearance which did not occur in 
Kashmir, for the greater progress of vegetation may have brought 
many plants into notice which there had not commenced to vegetate. 
A species of Oak, however, was found sparingly in the forest and hill- 
sides, which certainly did not occur to the north of the pass; and I 
noted a number of others which I had not seen in Kashmir ; all, how- 
ever, from the cause I have just doubtfully mentioned. 
From Banahal to the river Chenab I made three marches, descending 
from 5,500 to 2,500 feet, and only once ascending to about 8,000. 
The banks of the stream were in general covered with very dense 
forest, principally a magnificent Alder, and a Celtis, also very large. 
Fothergilla continued plentiful ; and with the decreasing elevation some 
plants, which are confined to low levels, made their appearance: 
Marlea was one of the first. Higher up the hills there was no 
forest, but grassy slopes frequently mixed with rocks. Many plants 
occurred which showed that I had not yet got into the ordinary 
Himalayan flora. Dictamnus was plentiful, with a Dianthus, and 
prickly Astragalus, as well as many other Kashmir plants ; and mes 
conspicuous of alla magnificent Asphodelus, with its long stipitate 
