98 THE VEGETATION OF TEMPERATE AND ALPINE SIKHIM. 



quoting the remarks which this illustrious traveller makes concerning 

 the variety of the vegetation in the temperate region from a geogra- 

 phical standpoint. These remarks relate primarily to the flora of the 

 Lachen valley at Lamteng, but they are equally applicable to that 

 of Lachung. 



"At first sight it appears incredible that such a limited area, 

 buried in the depths of the Himalaya, should present nearly all 

 the types of the flora of the north temperate zone; not only, however, 

 is this the case, but sjoace is also found at Lamteng (and Lachung also) 

 for the intercalation of types of a Malayan flora, otherwise wholly 

 foreign to the north temperate region. A few examples will show 

 this. Amongst trees the conifers are conspicuous, and all are of genera 

 typical both of Europe and North America : namely, silver fir, spruce, 

 larch, and juniper, besides the yew ; there are also species of birch, 

 alder, ash, apple, oak, willow, cherry, bird-cherry, mountain ash, 

 thorn, walnut, hazel, maple, ivy, holly, Andromeda, Hhamims. Of 

 bushes, rose, berberry, bramble, rhododendron, elder, cornel, willow, 

 honeysuckle, currant, Spircea, Vilnrnum, Cotoneaster, Hippophoe. Her- 

 baceous plants are far too numerous to be enumerated, as a list would 

 include most of the common genera of European and North American 

 plants. As an example, the ground about my tent was covered with 

 grasses and sedges, amongst which grew primroses, thistle, speedwell, 

 wild leeks, Arum, Convallaria, Calliirkhe, Oxalis, Ranunculus, Potentilla, 

 Orchis, Choeroplnjllmn, Galium, Paris, and Anagallis, besides cultivated 

 weeds of shepherd's purse, dock, mustard, mithridate cress, radish, 

 turnip, Thlaspi arvense and Poa annua. Of North American genera not 

 found in Europe, were Buddleia, Podophijllum Macinolia, Sassafras ? 

 Tetranthera, Hydrangea, Didytra, Aralia, Panax, ^ymplocos, Trillium, 

 and Clintonia. The absence of heaths is also equally a feature in the 

 flora of North America. Of European genera not found in North 

 America, the Lachen (and Lachung) valleys have Coriaria, Hypecoum, 

 and various Cruciferce. The Japanese and Chinese floras are repre- 

 sented by Camellia, Deutzia, Slaeltytirus^ Aucuha, Helwingia, Ilolhellia, 

 Hydrangea, Hkimmiu, Eurya, Anlhogonmm, and EnkiantJms. The Malayan 

 by Magnolia, Talavma, many vacciniums and rhododendrons, Kadsura, 

 Dapliniphyllum, Marlea, both coriaceous and deciduous leaved, Ccelogyne^ 

 Oberonia, Eulophia, Calanthe, and other orchids ; Ceropcgia, Parochetus, 

 Balanophora, and many Scitaminece ; and amongst trees by Engelhardtia, 

 and various laurels." To those interested in problems connected with 

 geographical botany this statement supplies ample food for reflection. 

 When the surrounding unknown countries shall have been explored 

 and their botanical characteristics detailed, it may be possible to trace 

 back the march of these far-reaching genera of plants to their starting- 

 points. 



