majusculis, filamentis gracilibus basi villosis, ovario densissime lepidoto, stylo gracili, stigmate capitato, capsula calyce longiore brevissime 
obovata 5-valvi. 
Has. Sikkim-Himalaya; on the loftiest bare slopes of the mountains on the Thibetan frontier, elev. 16-18,000 feet. 27. June and July ; 
Jr. September and October. 
The hard woody branches of this curious little species, as thick as a goose-quill, straggle along the ground for a foot 
or two, presenting brown tufts of vegetation where not half a dozen other plants can exist. The branches are densely 
interwoven, very harsh and woody, wholly depressed; whence the shrub, spreading horizontally, and barely raised two 
inches above the soil, becomes eminently typical of the arid stern climate it inhabits. ‘The latest to bloom and earliest 
to mature its seeds, by far the smallest in foliage, and proportionally largest in flower, most lepidote in vesture, humble in 
stature, rigid in texture, deformed in habit, yet the most odoriferous, it may be recognized, even in the herbarium, as 
the production of the loftiest elevation on the surface of the globe,—of the most excessive climate,—of the joint influences 
of a scorching sun by day, and the keenest frost at night,—of the greatest drought followed in a few hours by a saturated 
atmosphere,—of the balmiest calm alternating with the whirlwind of the Alps. For eight months of the year it is buried 
under many feet of snow: for the remaining four it is frequently snowed and sunned in the same hour. During genial 
weather, when the sun heats the soil to 150°, its perfumed foliage scents the air; whilst to snow-storm and frost it is 
insensible, blooming through all, expanding its little purple flowers to the day, and only closing them to wither after 
fertilization has taken place. As the life of a moth may be indefinitely prolonged, whilst its duties are unfulfilled, so the 
flower of this little mountaineer will remain open through days of fog and slect, till a mild day facilitates the detachment 
of the pollen and fecundation of the ovarium. ‘his process is almost wholly the effect of the winds; for though 
humble-bees, and the “Blues” and “ Fritillaries” (Polyommatus and Argynnis) amongst butterflies, do exist at the same 
prodigious elevation, they are too few in number to influence the operations of vegetable life. 
The odour of the plant much resembles that of “Eau de Cologne.” Lepidote scales generally rather a bright 
ferruginous-brown, wholly concealing the ramuli, foliage, &c. Zeaves one-eighth to one-sixth of an inch long, pale green. 
Corolla one-third of an inch across the lobes. The nearest allies of this species are 2. se¢osum and A. Lapponicum, from 
which latter it differs in its smaller stature and solitary sessile flowers. 
This singular little plant attains a loftier elevation, I believe, than any other shrub in the world. 
Tas. XXVI.B. Shododendron nivale. Fig. 1. Branch and leaves. 2 and 3. Flowers. 41. Corolla laid open. 5. Stamen. 6. Calyx and 
pistil. 7. Transverse section of ovarium :—all magnified. 8. Fruit :—natural size. 
