BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 153 
of a lake, and I have hardly any doubt that such is the explanation 
of this very curious tract of count 
I made many botanical acquisitions during this journey, principally 
in the earlier part, between Nubra and the Shayok. Here, from 
14,500 feet, at which elevation the alpine region may be said to com- 
mence, to above 17,500, many beautiful alpine plants occurred in the 
crevices of the masses of stones (old moraines) which abound, and in 
damp places along the stream and the banks of rills. Unfortunately I 
was never free from the unpleasant head-ache which is caused by the 
rarity of the atmosphere, and was therefore less able to exert myself than 
I could have wished. The species were many of them new to me, but 
the forms almost entirely those of Europe and North Asia. Many 
Crucifere, especially Draba, Astragali, Sazifrages (including S. cernua), 
Gentians, Lychnis, Cerastium, Thalictrum (likealpinum),—the same Poppy 
Composite were very abundant, and the most striking group were 
Aliardie, a curious and pretty genus, of which I have at least four 
species. Many Saussuree, too, occur all very small and dwarf; and 
lastly a nettle, was very abundant, and though a truly alpine species, 
it grew like its congeners, most rank and luxuriant near the usual 
halting-places of travellers. The top of the pass being occupied by 
g : 
I rejoined the Shayok is known to travellers,) was elevated about 
15,500 feet, and might be 500 feet higher than the bed of the 
stream. At this height the vegetation was still alpine in character, 
but much more luxuriant than above. Here Artemisia, several Astra- 
galee, Heracleum, Cynoglossum and Echinospermum, an Allium, a Ther- 
mopsis, now past flower, a beautiful deep blue Nepeta, Dracocephalum 
heterophyllum, Marrubium, Eurotia, and Saussurea bracteata, were 
common, with many others, on my first march from Sassar towards 
Karakoram. I encamped (at 15,300) at the only patch of real green 
turf which occurred on my journey to that place. It was swampy, 
with small stagnant pools, in which a curious broad foliaceous dga, 
which seems to float without any attachment, is common. A few 
stunted bushes of Myricaria elegans occur around, and the turf, 
which consisted of four or five grasses and two Carices, was gay, with 
I x 
