90 FLORA INDICA. 



been to break down this system, both by precept and exam- 

 ple, and we consequently find his work unique as regards 

 the value of the notices it contains on the geographical dis- 

 tribution of the plants of North-west India ; and it is with 

 regret that we see the information he has lavishly given too 

 frequently so distorted in subsequent systematic works, that 

 we have to refer to the original to arrive at the truth. This 

 is certainly from no want of accuracy in Dr. Royle's work, 

 or inappreciation of details, but in some measure to a clue 

 prominence not being given to a classified arrangement of the 

 provinces of so extensive and varied a country, and the adop- 

 tion of such a nomenclature as could be referred to, indepen- 

 dently of the other information with which the geographical 

 matter is at present embodied in his writings. 



In the scheme we are about to propose, we shall keep the 

 natural divisions (botanical provinces) as large as is consis- 

 tent with our objects ; and in selecting names for them, shall 

 endeavour to choose such as are already familiar to persons 

 conversant with the outlines of Indian geography, studiously 

 avoiding the introduction of any that have not a broader 

 claim to be known and used than mere botanical conveni- 

 ence. Under the description of each province we shall endea- 

 vour to communicate as much definite trustworthy informa- 

 tion as we can embody, regarding its elevation, the nature 

 of its surface, its climate, etc. ; this we have chiefly gleaned 

 from various periodicals and travels, Government reports, and 

 other sources of information, which have come under our 

 notice. In order, however, to avoid much repetition in our 

 descriptions of these provinces, it is necessary to preface our 

 account of them with some general remarks on the geogra- 

 phical distribution of Indian plants. 



C. General Remarks on the Vegetation of India. 



Before proceeding to describe the physical features, etc., of 

 the provinces, we shall give a very short and comprehensive 



