BOTANY. 103 



numerous, and the genus Crotaleria, so abundant in India, 

 producing here colossal plants, comprehends two-tliirds of all 

 the Leguminosa. A fine species of Rosa, with large white* 

 flowers. One Passiflora ; beautiful Cucurbitacese ; a beautiful 

 species of the Crassulacea. A colossal species of Solanum ; 

 some species of Labiatse ; a few Verbenacea, and Euphorbia- 

 cese. Of the Urtica family, only one, but in several beauti- 

 ful varieties. None of the Coniferse ; One Salix ; some beau- 

 tiful and well distinguished Orchidea, bulbous. No Ama- 

 ryllidese. Few Asphodelise. One Tulipacese. A beautiful Li- 

 lium, with one flower ; several species of the Commelinea. 



" The season being unfavourable for the Graminse, when 

 I was on tlie Neilgherries, I can say nothing of them ; but, 

 on the contrary, nothing can be finer than the Filices, the 

 species of which are endless, from the fern tree to the small- 

 est plants. Fungi do not exist at all here.f 



" To come back to the physiognomy of the vegetation, 

 it is beautiful, smiling, flourishing j its expression is that 

 of health, of a reproductive vigour, which, strong as it is, 

 remains always noble, and elegant. 



" Having descended the Neilgherries on all sides, as far 

 as the tropical regions, I have found a very singular thing, 

 ■ viz. a middle region between the Neilgherry Hills, and the 

 usual vegetation of Malabar, or Mysore, and which takes the 

 place of our Sub-Alpine vegetation ; I have found there 

 several magnificent plants often of colossal size, and which 

 vary greatly in the diflerent passes of Groodaloor, of Koter- 

 gherry (or Orange Valley), Coonoor, and Koondah; in short, 



* A fine red species also. 



t Baron Hugel saw none, at the season he was here, but they are 

 common at other times of the year. 



