8 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



be imagined than mile upon mile of mountain-side covered with 

 Rhododendrons in full flower. 



Division 4. — " Temperate alpine belt — 10,000 to 11,500 feet 

 altitude." Above 10,000 feet in Western China the character 

 of the flora undergoes a great change, and the narrow belt be- 

 tween 10,000 and 11,500 feet forms the hinterland between the 

 temperate and alpine zones. This narrow belt is mostly moor- 

 land, but where the nature of the country admits, magnificent 

 forests occur. The moorlands are covered with dwarf, smaU- 

 leaved Rhododendrons and scrub-like shrubs, chiefly Berberis, 

 Spiraea, Caragana, Lonicera, Potentilla fruticosa, P. Veitchii, 

 and HippophcB salicifolia, with Willow, prickly Scrub Oak, 

 coarse herbs, grasses, and impenetrable thickets of dwarf 

 Bamboo. The forests are composed almost exclusively of 

 Conifers, chiefly Larch, Spruce, Silver Fir, Hemlock Spruce, 

 and here and there Pine. A few trees of Red and White Birch 

 and Poplar occur, chiefly near streams. Specifically very 

 little is known about the constituents of these forests, but, to 

 illustrate their wealth, I may mention that on my last journey 

 I collected seeds of some 16 different species of Spruce and 

 5 of Silver Fir. These forests are, unfortunately, fast dis- 

 appearing, and are only to be found in the more inaccessible 

 regions. The tree-limit varies according to rainfall, and may be 

 put down as between 11,500 and 12,500 feet. 



Division 5. — " The alpine belt — 11,500 to 16,000 feet 

 altitude." The alpine zone extends from 11,500 to 16,000 feet. 

 The wealth of herbs in this belt is truly astonishing. Their 

 variety is wellnigh infinite, and the intensity of the colour 

 of the flowers is a striking feature. The genus Pedicularis 

 (Louseworts) , with 100 species, is perhaps the most remarkable 

 constituent. The Louseworts are largely social plants and 

 occur in countless thousands, their flowers being all colours 

 save blue and purple. They are really most fascinating plants, 

 and it is a great pity that their semi-parasitic nature prevents 

 their cultivation. The Ragworts [Senecio), with 100 species, 

 have yellow flowers, and the plants vary in size from low cushion- 

 like plants to strong herbs 6 feet tall. Blue is supplied by 

 the Gentians {Gentiana), of which there are 90 species. These 

 again are social plants, and on sunny days the ground for miles 



