380 SITES FOR CHINCHONA-PLANTATIONS : Chap. XXIII. 



lected a site for the highest plantation in a wooded ravine or 

 shola at the back of the hills which rise above the Govern- 

 ment gardens ; and, after a careful examination, I came to the 

 conclusion that it was well suited for the growth of the hardier 

 species, and for the experimental culture of all the kinds 

 which have been introduced into India. It has been named 

 the " Dodabetta " site, from the peak, the highest point of 

 the Neilgherries, and 8640 feet above the sea, which rises 

 up immediately behind it. 



With regard to the species for which I considered the 

 Dodabetta site to be suitable, it will be well in this place to 

 recapitulate the cu'cumstances under which they grow on 

 their native mountains. 



The shrub variety of C. Calisaya (lat. 13° to 15° S.) 

 flourishes in o^em pajonales, quite exposed, at elevations from 

 5000 to 7000 feet above the sea, and in April and May I 

 found the mean temperature to be 60|°, minimum 55°, and 

 range 17°. The C. nitida (lat. 10° S.) grows at similar eleva- 

 tions, but we have no exact information respecting the tem- 

 peratm-e and humidity. The varieties of C. Condaminea (lat. 

 4° S.) flom-ish at heights from 6000 to 8000 feet above the sea, 

 where the mean range is from 45^ to 60°, in a moist climate, 

 and in exposed but always dry situations ; and one kind, the 

 C. crispa, the seeds of which have been received in India and 

 Ceylon, grows in a deposit of peat, 8000 feet above the sea, 

 in a temperature falling as low as 27°.^ The C. landfolia 

 (lat. 5° N.) is found at 7000 feet above the sea and upwards, 

 where the annual range is from freezing-point to 75°, in an 

 exceedingly moist climate. The rainy season lasts for nine 

 months, when the constant rain is only interrupted in the day 

 by interchanging sun-rays and fog-clouds. In the dry season 

 cold clear nights follow days in Avhich a warm sun penetrates 



• Several species of ijliinchoua} Hon- I 10,000 feet above the sea, and witliin 

 risk at altitudes from 8000 to over | the region of frequent frosts. 



