14 DR. THOMSON'S MISSION TO INDIA. 
being about 3,000 feet. At this height some little of the temperate 
vegetation was already beginning to appear, and the blending of the 
two was often exceedingly curious. Pinus longifolia grew alongside 
of the Date Palm (Phenix sylvestris); Alder was mixed with Rétélera 
and Rondeletia; a Wild Pear with Dalbergia Sissoo ; Trichodesma Indi- 
cum and Solanum Jacquini with Micromeria aud Fragaria Indica. 
Beyond Ramnagar I rose rapidly, the first day to 5,000, then to 7,000, 
and two days afterwards to 10,000 feet. The flora, however, nearly 
to the latter point, was the ordinary Himalayan flora, Fothergilla 
being one of the few Kashmir plants which have not disappeared. 
Yesterday, however, starting from 10,000 feet, I crossed. a ridge almost 
as high as the uppermost tree-level. By an accident my thermometer 
had gone on, so I was unable to determine the boiling point of water, 
but I must have attained a height of 11,500 feet. I had never before 
an opportunity of seeing the spring flora at this elevation, and I cer- 
tainly was very much gratified. There was no very great variety, 
but the immense profusion of Rhododendron campanulatum, in full 
flower, was (seen for the first time) extremely beautiful. I crossed 
no n except in ravines, but observed plenty along the road. There 
nothing novel in the plants which I collected. Primula rosea, 
Gas, Onosma bracteatum (?), a bright blue Gentian (which, by the 
"way, I have not been able to name) and a dirty green by no means 
handsome Fritillaria (with no cirrhi to the leaves) were the prevailing 
plants. Quercus semicarpifolia was the common tree in the forest, with 
Picea and Pinus excelsa. Lower down, Cedrus Deodara, and Abies 
Smellieana were common ; and as I descended the ordinary trees of the 
forest made their appearance. 
Camp, Nubra Valley, 2nd of August, 1848. 
I had fully intended to give you an account of the progress of my 
journey long ere now, but have been prevented doing so by a com- 
plication of causes; partly by a press of work which left little time for 
writing, and at Le, where I spent a week, by a violent fit of idleness, for 
I did little or nothing the whole time I was there, and latterly from not _ 
having been very well, principally, I believe, from the effects of great 
elevation, as my illness, which proved nothing serious, commenced while 
crossing the pass between Le and this place. A few doses of quinine 
