288 A NATURALIST IN HIMALAYA 



that the rush of stones pouring down one of these steep 

 ravines had more effect in grinding into the solid rock 

 than had the waters that dislodged them. 



Magnificent trees clothe these limestone hills. The 

 conifers first appear at an altitude of about 5000 feet. 

 They commence as weak and stunted trees scattered 

 thinly over the slope, then rapidly increasing in 

 strength and numbers they become the finest in the 

 forest. It is marvellous to see the way these pines 

 and firs cling to the limestone cliffs, entwining their 

 roots around the spurs or striking down into the 

 crevices of the rocks. They struggle hard to exist in 

 so barren a soil, and, in places, the withered trunks 

 tell how many have failed in the contest. Evergreen 

 and deciduous trees both add their beauty to the 

 Eocene rocks. The pines and firs are mingled with 

 the chestnut, ilex, cherry and sycamore. On 

 opposite sides of the same valley we see a marked 

 contrast in the vegetation. For on the northern 

 slopes of the hills the silver fir, Abies webbiana, 

 grows in full luxuriance, while the southern slopes it 

 abandons to the blue pine, Pinus excelsa. Standing 

 in the valley, we see the decided contrast. On the one 

 side are the thick, dark, gloomy pines, on the other 

 the equally dark, but taller and more stately firs, while 

 intermingled with both are the lighter tints of the 

 deciduous trees softening the general hue of the 

 vegetation with varied shades of green. And as we 

 look up the pine-clad cliffs to the summit of the hill, 

 we see a row of silver firs, that thrive on the opposite 

 side of the slope, raising their tall straight trunks above 

 the ridge and standing firm against the clear sky like 

 a line of sentinels upon the mountain. Such is the 



