PREFACE 



This paper consists of descriptions of Indian species of Pedicularis, preceded by a 



synopsis of the genus in which the probable natural position of the Indian spc. >« i« 

 shewn. 





The area dealt with is not the India of political geography, but an extended bo/a, <u 



India, which includes mediatized provinces like Kashmir, Sikkim, and Manipur, and 

 independent ones like Nepal and Ceylon. Within its boundary line, however, there 

 is occasionally only a part of what appears to be a natural phytogcographical district. 

 Where this happens all the species hitherto reported from the district are accounted for 

 the expression "Indian Frontiers" has been introduced into the title to indicate the 

 fact: species that are confined to districts which lie wholly outside the area dealt with 

 in the Flora of British India have been omitted. 



Dr. King, Superintendent of the Botanic Garden, directed me in 188** to examine 

 the material of this genus brought to Calcutta by collectors in Chumbi and in Sikkim, 

 and to arrange the species in accordance with Sir J. D. Hookkr's article "Pedicularw'* 

 in the Flora of British India (vol. iv, pp. 306—317). During this examination some novel- 

 ties were detected — the number of these has since 1885 increased materially— and among 

 them were certain forms that appeared to clear up some difficulties in the systematic 

 disposition of the genus. Owing to this fact and to recent additions of territory to the 

 Empire, a more extended examination of the genus was undertaken, and in conducting it 



i 



the excellent revision of Asiatic species by Mr. Maximowicz, published in 1877 and supple- 

 mented in 1881, was taken as a foundation. This examination was carried on daring 



* 



intervals between official duties, and was not yet completed when I became aware, in 

 1887, that Mr. Maximowicz was engaged in revising the genus anew. The Indian mate rial 

 already systematised was then sent to Mr. Maximowicz, but that author very strongly 



deprecated the intention that was formed of suspending the examination; on the 

 contrary, he urged the continuation of the study of the Indian species, and it is to 

 his generosity in supplying material for comparison to the Calcutta Herbarium, and his 

 kindness in making comparisons at St. Petersburg when material could not be spared, 

 that the completion of the paper now is largely due. But I am similarly deeply indebted 

 to the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, for comparisons made in Kew Herbarium 

 by the staff in 1885 and in 1887, as well as by Dr. King when he was in England in 



