2?8 Dr Govans Observations on the Natural History and 



Pine, the latter always occupying the loftiest belt along with 

 the Kurso, a species of Quercus, the Rheum, Junipcrus, a se- 

 cond species of Rhododendron, the Birch and Sorbus, which 

 two last trees here, as in the high lands of other countries, are 

 generally found the most elevated, and in a stunted shape, the 

 last arboreous forms of which we take leave in ascending to 

 the region of snow and desolation. i 



A vast variety of northern genera here present themselves,* 

 never before known to exist in such close proximity to the 

 arid plains of Hindostan ; and the labours of Dr Wallich, it 

 is to be hoped, may soon enable botanists to compare the 

 Asiatic with the European and American species so closely 

 allied to them, if not in many cases varieties merely. To- 

 wards the summits, and on the N. E., or Tartarian face of 

 the snowy ridge, many genera and species closely allied to 

 the Siberian begin to make their appearance. 



All the peculiarities of hill vegetation and agriculture arc, 

 in the lower part of this belt, fully developed. 



Three species of Polygonum, known by the native names 

 of Paphra, Ogla, and Chabrcc, with the frumentaceous Ama- 

 ranthus, furnish the most common grains, besides wheat, and 

 the valuable six-sided naked barley, called Ooa.-f 



Opium, from the facility of its transportation, here, the 

 most valuable of all properties, as well as its superior quality, 

 at the elevation of 8000 feet, is often spoken of as the only 

 production in some of the interior states, of which the expor- 

 tation to the plains enables them to pay their government's 



* Among these may be enumerated many species of 



+ Since introduced into Scotland. 



