176 THE HARDY PALMS OF THE HIMALATAH. 



to the conclusion that, in the earlier periods of the earth's history, a much warmer climate 

 ohtained in these latitudes than at the present day. This theory has recently received a formid- 

 able blow in the discovery by Dr. Madden among the mountains of Kcmaon, a Himalayan 

 province bordering on Nepaul, of several fine species of Palm, together with Bamboos, Plantains, 

 and other arborescent monocotyledonous forms hitherto supposed to be confined to the tropics. 

 Apart from the interest attached to these discoveries in connection with the geological hypothesis 

 to which we have referred, their importance in a horticultural point of view is so great, that a 

 slight sketch, in Dr. Madden's own words, of a few of the plants in question, will doubtless prove 

 acceptable to some of our readers. 



The species most likely to prove quite hardy in this country, and therefore the most interesting 

 is the Chamterops Khasyana, which is found at an altitude of from seven to eight thousand feet 

 amidst luxuriant forests of Oaks, Hollies, Maples, and many other species of evergreen and 

 deciduous plants of a hardy character. It occurs in immense numbers, usually in groups, and 

 varies from thirty to fifty feet in height, the stipe (as the trunks are termed botanically), 

 being crowned by a large tuft of elegant fan-like fronds. At the height of sis feet from the 

 ground, the stems are generally about two feet in circumference, but are of larger diameter near 

 the summit. The flowers show themselves in April and May, and the fruits, which resemble in 

 form and size those of the olive and are of a blue colour, ripen in October. In the localities 

 where this species occurs, the summers are rather warmer than those of London, but the winters, 

 are very severe, the ground being usually covered with snow from the end of November to March ; 

 and, as Dr. Madden expresses his belief that nothing but the absolute barrenness of the upper 

 portions of the mountains where this species occurs, prevents it from growing at a higher, and 

 consequently, colder elevation, there can be little doubt that it would flourish in the open air in 

 this country. At a rather lower elevation is found the Phoenix sylvestris, or Wild Date of 

 India, the sap of which is so largely employed for the manufacture of sugar. It occurs in two 

 forms, one arborescent, often reaching the height of forty or fifty feet, the other dwarfer, and 

 almost stemless, to which the name of humilis has been given. They occur occasionally as high 

 as six thousand feet above the level of the sea. Two thousand feet lower the magnificent 

 Walliehia oblongifolia is found, forming thick tufts destitute of any visible stem ; it will probably 

 be too tender for this country. 



The only other plant which we can now find space to notice is the Arundhiaria ostitis, allied 

 to the true Bamboos, which it greatly resembles. It is met with at elevations of from seven to 

 nine thousand feet in tufts, the stems of which are commonly from twenty to forty feet 

 high, presenting a magnificent appearance. Like the true Bamboos, this plant rarely flowers 

 or ripens its seed ; and when this does happen, the stems perish and fall. The wood, though 

 light, is very solid and durable, and is employed for almost as many purposes as the Bamboo 

 itself; the native name of this species, Deo Ningala, or Divine Ningala, is sufficient to shew 

 the estimation in which it is held in India. 



A species of Plantain occurs abundantly in the eastern Himalayah to the north of the province 

 of Assam, often at an elevation of seven thousand feet, and also in the province of Kemaon, at 

 a lower altitude. The plants we have named constitute but a small portion of those detected 

 by Dr. Madden, but they will be sufficient to prove the importance of his discoveries, both in 

 an ceconomical and horticultural point of view. "We ought to add, that one species of hardy 

 Palm occurs in China which has already stood the test of the climate of Great Britain, and a 

 dwarf species, the Chamccrops humilis, or Fan Palm, is found in Italy, though the latter is of 

 comparatively little interest. 



