THE VEGETATION OF TEMPERATE AND ALPINE SIKHIM. 105 



leaves appressed to the ground, a surculose saxifrage, the dandelion 

 [Taraxacum officinale), the aromatic yellow EUlwltzia criostachja, and 

 groups of Scnccio diversifoUus, Other plants are Pcdicularis tublflora, a 

 small floating Hanuncubis, 3fcconopsis smpIicifoUa and M. NcpaUnsis, 

 Salvia glutinosa, Li/cknis nutans, Cucahalus baccifcr, audi Asaritm Jiimalacium. 

 Aroids of the genus Ariscvma are common. In early summer their 

 tuberous roots are prepared and used for food according to the 

 method described by Sir J. D. Hooker. As the people neglect 

 agricultural pursuits, they depend almost entirely on the milk and its 

 products from the yaks and cattle for their sustenance. When this 

 source of nourishment is withheld in the early part of the year, they 

 are driven to utilize the nauseous food obtained from Aroids, which 

 causes disastrous results if continued for a time. 



In this and all other valleys, every range facing a southerly 

 direction, in even the least degree, is, in summer, exposed to the full 

 force of the southerly winds, laden with mist and drizzling rain, 

 which blow with increasing violence as the day advances, to die away 

 only at night. These continuous currents rapidly denude the surface, 

 wash down the superincumbent earth, and wear away rocks which 

 become precipices or crags of fantastic shapes. Vegetation, therefore, 

 cannot find permanent foothold under such adverse circumstances, 

 and its abundance, of trees especially, is confined to the sheltered 

 flanks on the opposite side where a copious rainfall is absorbed by the 

 deep and fertile soil. 



At the highest elevations where vegetation is naturally more 

 scanty, the valleys are broader and their bounding spurs are com- 

 paratively lower in altitude. The currents, therefore, act equally in 

 all directions, causing the whole area to assume an uniformly bleak and 

 desolate appearance. 



From Yeumtong to Momay Samdong an ascent of four thousand 

 feet has to be effected. The distance is not gi'eat, but the steepness 

 of the intervening tract rapidly discloses a radical change in the aspect 

 of the country and of its vegetation. A forest of silver fir, maples, 

 birch, Fynis, rhododendrons, willows, and other trees and shrubs 

 extends to 13,000 feet; for a few hundred feet farther some scattered 

 black juniper trees occur; an equal distance upwards is occupied by 

 smaller rhododendrons and willows; above, the valley is broad 

 with enormous rocks on its surface and supports low-growing plants 

 only. 



Of this place Sir J. D. Hooker gives the following description : — 

 "It was a wild and most exposed spot; long stony mountains grassy 

 on the base near the river; distant snowy peaks, stupendous 

 precipices, moraines, glaciers, transported boulders and rocks rounded 

 by glacial action, formed the dismal landscape which everywhere 



