245 



Clematis, Holbcellia latifolia, Hydrangea altissima, 

 Vitis semicordata (Himalayan " Virginia Creeper ") 

 and the Ivy. 



Above 7000 feet Quercus dilatata usually replaces 



the Ban Oak. 

 In this zone also occur 



The Cypress (Cupressus torulosa) often on lime- 

 stone precipices. 



The Box (Buxus sempervirens) usually on calcareous 

 soil, but also on other kinds of soil in moist 

 sheltered valleys. 



The Yew ( Taxus baccata) in shady places, but perhaps 

 more often met with in the next higher zone. 



ZONE IV. Elevation 8000' 1 1000'. 



KARSHU OAK (Q. semecarpifolia), which is often gregarious, 

 predominates. In its zone are found the Spruce, 

 Silver Fir (Abies Pindrow) and some broad-leaved 

 species. Rhododendron campanulatum is also found 

 which extends into the next zone. 



ZONE V. Elevation above 11000'. 



WHITE BIRCH (Betuta utilis) predominates, often with a 

 tangled undergrowth of the shrubby, gregarious 

 Rhododendron Anthopogon. In this zone also 

 occurs another shrubby Rhododendron, R. 

 lepidotum, and species of Juniper, e.g. Juniperus 

 recurva on the northern slopes of Chansil. 



Beyond the region of shrubs, if the snow-line does not inter- 

 vene, we find grasses with Gentians, Edel Weiss (Leontopodium 

 alpinum] and other herbs and then perpetual snow. 



223. A detailed description of the Hill Forest 



hill forests of the Eastern Himalaya, Assam, and Burma can- of Eastern 

 not be given here although botanically they are more inter- As^mt'an'd 

 estmg than the hill forests of the Western Himalaya. While Burma, 

 some species, as might be expected, are widely distributed 

 throughout the hill forests, others are more or less confined to 

 local areas. 



Rhododendron arboreum and Taxus baccata for instance are 

 found throughout the Himalaya, in Assam, and in Burma. 

 On the other hand each region possesses certain species of its 



