178 CAMP ON 2I0UNTAIN 



4,000 feet dwarf pink azaleas and anemones were par- 

 ticularly noticeable among many varieties of flowers. 

 Above this rhododendrons grew in the greatest abund- 

 ance and of large size, many stems being over a foot in 

 diameter. Their flowers were large and of many shades 

 of colour, and their limit was about 12,000 feet above 

 the level of the sea. I also saw many fine varieties of 

 primula growing among the rhododendrons. The tent 

 was pitched at an altitude of 12,500 feet, and some time 

 was spent before a sufficiently level piece of ground 

 could be found. Our fuel was logs of the largest rhodo- 

 dendrons, and a good fire had to be kept up, for though 

 we were in a sheltered place it was very cold directly 

 the sun went down. Crossoptilon appeared to be abun- 

 dant ; I saw a great many feeding on the rocky slopes 

 of the spurs and also heard them calling, which they 

 invariably do at early dawn and dusk, thus betraying 

 their presence. 



During the night there was a fall of snow and a 

 •severe frost. I find that I am about two hours' journey 

 from the line of perpetual snow and glaciers. The days 

 are hot but the nights intensely cold. There are no in- 

 habitants within some miles. Father Soulie arrived on 

 the evening of May 2, and on the following day we 

 ascended, to find, if possible, a suitable camping-place 

 higher up, and also to see if a road could be found, lead- 



