92 FLORA 1NDICA. 



with 



of other tropical countries, which are so frequently put forth, 



this 



insignificant; nor would it be fair of us to expect credence 

 for it, did we not add that it is the result of the collation of 



irrefragable 



undiscovered species. It is right 



our 



Flora 



sively exaggerated, is founded upon extensive personal expe- 

 rience, and the careful consideration of a large body of well 



enforcin 



Brown, with 



discussed this curious and extremely important subject. 



With regard to the general diffusion of species throughout 

 India, we believe that there is no part of the whole area in- 



in 



than 



this is very rare, confined to mountainous districts, and pos- 

 sibly to the Khasia. It is further probable that a continuous 



fifty miles, containin 



is 



nowhere to be found in India ; if anywhere, its centre is pro- 



ui 



the Khasia, Jheels of Bengal, and the loftiest regions of the 

 Himalaya. 



With regard to local assemblages of species in very narrow 

 areas, these are never very numerous, except in the pastures 

 of the temperate and subalpine districts, where thirty to forty, 

 in different stages of luxuriance, may be found within a radius 

 of six feet. Nearly as many may be gathered in the neigh- 

 bourhood of, and upon, one moss-covered rock or tree-stump 

 on the damp, exposed hill-tops of the Khasia. It is almost 

 impossible, however, to appreciate the nicely balanced local 



determine 



which 



will all find room, and keep it, in a limited space : much de- 

 pends on the prevalence of species that combine to check tin 



