248 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



drangea anomala, H. villosa, Neillia affinis, Dipelta ventricosa, 

 Ribes longer acemosum, var. Davidii, Enkianthus deflexus, 

 Styrax roseus, Deutzia (2 spp.), Rubus (5 spp.), Viburnum 

 (4 spp.), Spiraea (4 spp.), Acer spp., Malus spp., Sorbus spp., 

 Meconopsis chelidonifolia, Fragaria filipendula, Lilium gigan- 

 teum, and the herbs of the lower belt. A few Rhododendrons 

 occur chiefly on the cliffs. 



The plateau (8500 feet) is about half a mile across, marshy 

 in places, and densely clad with shrubby vegetation andBamboo 

 scrub. In addition to those already noted as occurring in 

 the belt below, we here found Hydrangea xanthoncura, Rosa 

 sericea, and Aralia chinensis, also a species of Caltha and a 

 few Conifers. Rhododendrons become more abundant as we 

 advanced. Crossing this plateau we reached the north-west 

 angle of the upper storey, and scrambled upwards by a narrow, 

 rocky, tortuous path through dense thickets of mixed shrubs, 

 which gradually give place to Rhododendrons as the narrow 

 ledge at 10,000 feet is reached. Rosa sericea, which was past 

 flowering below, was here a mass of lovely white. Two or 

 three species of Lonicera and various Lahiatce occur within 

 this belt, and on shady rocks at least three species of Primula, 

 including P. ovali folia. 



From 10,000 feet to the summit of the mountain Rhodo- 

 dendron accounts for fully 99 per cent, of the ligneous vegeta- 

 tion. A few Conifers, Lonicera, Rosa sericea, Clematis montana, 

 var. Wilsonii, Pieris, and Gaultheria make up the remaining 

 one per cent. Of the herbs. Primula is the most noteworthy. 

 Five fresh species of this genus occur, and amongst them, though 

 uncommon, the lovely yellow-flowered P. Prattii. A blue- 

 flowered Corj'dalis, Cypripedium luteum, with large yellow 

 flowers ; Rubus Fockeanus and another herbaceous species 

 are other pleasing plants. On shady rocks the curious Ber- 

 neuxia thibetica abounds. This interesting plant was first 

 referred to the genus Shortia by Franchet, and was later made 

 the type of a new genus by Decaisne. The flowers are small 

 and insignificant, white or pale pink in colour. On bare 

 rocks I gathered the pretty white-belled Cassiope selaginoides. 



My attention and interest, however, were chiefly taken 

 up with the Rhododendrons. The gorgeous beauty of their 



