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In India, unlike other countries subject to like conditions of 

 rain and seasons, there is no distinctive botanical feature peculiar 

 to itself. It differs in this respect from Australia or Africa : 

 partly owing to its geographical position and partly to the varied 

 climate it possesses, its vegetation is of a veiy composite character 

 and may be said to be the blending of the flora of the adjoining 

 continents. 



In the "N.W. the distinctive type is that derived from Persia 

 and the S.E. shores of the Mediterranean ; in the North, Siberian, 

 in the East the Chinese, and in the S.E. the Malayan flora has 

 given character to the local flora. 



Whatever the origin of the local flora, the meteorological 

 characteristics of different parts of India naturally affect the flora 

 and thus for botanical purposes the country may be divided into 

 four broad territories — the Himalayan, the North Western, the 

 Assamese, and the Western. 



In the Himalayan there is a strong admixture of European 

 species, such as Aquilegia, Crataegus, and the Pines of the hills, 

 which are closely allied to those of Southern Europe, and the 

 Taxus Baccata, or common yew, and the Quercus Ilex, or holm 

 oak, are frequently found in the Himalayan forests. 



In the N.W. where the soil is dependent to a great extent 

 upon irrigation and inundation, tho flora partakes of a Persian or 

 Syrian character, and the Acacia Arabica is one of the commonest 

 trees, while the Populus Euphratica (the willow alluded to in the 

 Bible) is to be met with frequently. 



The Assamese or Malayan and the Western territories have 

 much that is common owing to both districts being more or less 

 perennially humid, but the Western flora partakes chiefly of the 

 Malay character without the admixture of the Chinese element 

 which tinges that of the Assamese district. 



The Southern and drier and hotter parts of the peninsula 

 produce in their wild state such palms as prefer strong heat and 

 > little rain, chief among which is the Palmyrah or Eorassus 

 flabelliformis. The stem is surrounded by leaves the stalks of which 

 in the natural state do not drop off for a great number of years, 

 but as the palm is used to obtain toddy from, the cultivators cut 

 off the leaves until the trees present the appearance of a smooth 

 stemmed palm. 



The immense tracts of country in the extreme south of India 

 where the rainfall is sometimes not more than 20 inches, and the 

 heat great, is one of the great features of that part of the 

 country, in parts of which nothing but the Palmyrah and the 

 Acacia Planifrons are to be seen in the way of trees while the 

 hedges are to a great extent formed by the Aloe. If any tree 



