96 THE VEGETATION OF TEMPERATE AND ALPINE SIKHIM. 



the air becomes appreciably cooler and where plants unknown to an 



inhabitant of the lower valleys attract our notice. The first indication 



of the transition of the flora is the presence of a tall Anemone 



{A. vitifolia), a taller thistle {Cincus involucratus), a leguminous plant 



[Astragalus pijcnorhkus) creeping over the sand, a composite {Eupa- 



torium cannabinum) and a common fragile climber with pretty blue 



flowers (Lcptocodon gracilis). All these, with many more which could 



be enumerated, prevail as far as the village of Keadom. This is 



situated on a large open expanse which enjoys such a balmy climate 



in summer that, although it lies at an elevation of 6,600 feet, cereals 



such as Indian-corn, IHciisine, &c., are successfully grown. On the 



outer ranges, owing to the humidity and want of sunshine during 



the rains, these crops cannot be profitably cultivated above 5,000 feet. 



The dense forests of tall trees terminate some distance above 



Keadom, and are replaced by grassy slopes on which grow more 



scattered trees. The character of the vegetation completely alters, 



and an abundance of species of plants unknown in other parts _ of 



the country flourish in profusion, their many-hued flowers endowing 



the landscape with a bright and cheerful appearance, conrtasting 



strongly with the dark green wealth of foliage whose monotonous 



aspect at lower levels tires the travellers eye with its unbroken 



uniformity. 



The arboreal and shrubby vegetation consists of Xanthoxylum, 

 Hlldrangea, Rosa macrophylla and R. sericca, Prinsepia iitilis, Fyrus, 

 Rhus, Pieris ovaVfoUa and P. formosa, Rhododendron arhoreum, 

 R. setosum, Maples, Oaks, Poplar, Holly, Hazel, &c. Others are 

 Leijcesteria formosa, Buddleia macrostachya and B. Colvillei, Berberis of 

 several species, Rubus nioeus with palatable fruits and the box-like 

 Sarcococca pruniformis. The most conspicuous climbers are Aristolochia 

 Griffithii with strongly-ribbed cylindrical fruits, Rollboellia latifolia, a 

 Polygonum and a few species of leguminous and cucurbitaceous 

 plants. Of herbaceous plants, Euphorbia Sikkimensis is most abun- 

 dant, but the variety of composite and umbelliferous plants is the 

 most prominent feature. Aster Sikkimensis, Erigaon multiradiatus, 

 Etipatorium, Saussurea, Inula Hookeri, Lactuca, and Senecio are most 

 common. 



Lilium giganteum grows on the verges of streams, fully deserving 

 its specific name by attaining a height of ten feet; a smaller congener, 

 Lilium roseum, with pink flowers is rarer. Roscoea alpina is seen every- 

 where, and the flat tops of many rocks are brightened by the yellow 

 flowers of Spathoglottis ixioides. Safyrium nepalense, a pink-flowered 

 orchid, most sweetly scented, accompanies it, and there are many 

 species of Ilahenaria. Other plants worthy of mention are tall 

 Balsams, Thalictrum, Eulenia, Sweriia, Geranium, Thistle, Wormwood, 



