THE LEHRA DOON. 83 



deserted, but nature lost none of its chai-nis by their 

 absence. 



Having made one or two sketches from different 

 points, I prepared to return on the following day, when 

 I examined the slopes more at my leisure. Gradually 

 in the intervening valleys, and in sheltered nooks, 

 although in the depth of the cold season, vegetation 

 became more varied, and many old acquaintances 

 turned up in the way of shrubs and flowering plants ; 

 indeed, as soon as warmer weather sets in, even the 

 bare rocks assume a gayer aspect by the appearance of 

 interloping grass patches. Also the Alpine flora (so 

 strangely missing, by the by, in the Atlas range) is 

 strongly represented by primroses, campanulse, gen- 

 tians, &c. ; and one of the prettiest objects here is the 

 Judas tree {Cercis siliguastrinn) , covered with rose- 

 coloiu'ed flowers ; also tree-ferns, and a great variety 

 of rhododendrons, grace the hillside. 



Beyond and below lies the vast expanse of open, 

 broad valleys, which are those of the Dehra Doon, 

 whence this time I took a more easterly route to join 

 the railway at Saharunpore, by which I saved ten 

 miles. Once more I turned round to gaze upon the 

 endless succession of hills, thousands of feet high, and 

 as many silvery streamlets ; then, closing my eyes, I 

 soon took refuge in the land of dreams and oblivion. 



G 2 



