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f 
V.—A List of the Exogenous Plants found in the Anamallay Hot is Southern 
India, with Descriptions of the New Species. By Capt. R. H. Benno, Officiating 
Conservator of Forests in the Madras Presidency. Communicated by Dr. T. Tuom- 
son, F.L.S. 
Read April 17, 1862, and March 16, 1865. 
(Plates XXI.-XXVII.) 
Tag Anamallay Mountains rise to an elevation of nearly 9000 feet; their base is about 
1000 feet above the sea. The teak-forests are of great extent, and all the fine teak is 
found between 1500 and 2500 feet elevation. At these elevations it is very fine, and 
grows to a very large size. I have measured trees 20 feet in circumference. The teak- 
forest is dry and comparatively open, and is swept through by the fires in February or 
March. Other fine timber-trees are abundant, chiefly the two black woods, Dalbergia 
latifolia and D. sissoides, the Ven Tek (Lagerstremia microcarpa), several Terminalias, 
Pithecolobium xylocarpum, and Pterocarpus marsupium. The underwood is chiefly 
formed of Dendrolobium cephalotes, Pueraria tuberosa, and Cycas. Orobanchs, terrestrial 
Orchids, and Balsams are abundant. Of Ferns, the most abundant are Cyclodiwm Cumin- 
gianum, Nephrodium molle, and Lastrea cochleata. Bamboo abounds, generally forming 
large copses in the moister parts of the forest. Teak grows in small quantities up to 
3500 and 4000 feet elevation ; but it is stunted and scraggy at these higher elevations. 
The moist forest (or Shola) forms large tracts on these mountains, and has quite a different’ 
vegetation to the dry forest. The trees are often of gigantic growth. Euphorbiaceæ, 
Urticaceæ, and Anonaceæ abound ; and the trees are quite covered with epiphytie Orchids 
and other parasites. . Gigantie ereepers (Mezoneuron cucullatum, Xanthoxylon tetra- 
spermum, Entada, Tiliacora, and many others) quite cover many ofthe trees. Ferns and 
Balsams are very abundant. These forests are moist all the year round, and are never 
touched by the fires. The underwood is chiefly formed of Acanthaceous plants.  Sérobi- 
lanthes tetraptera covers miles. I have described several new trees from these moist 
forests ; and a good many that are very common have recently been described by Mr. 
Thwaites, in his enumeration of Ceylon plants. I feel convinced that there are many 
new ones still to be discovered, as there are many trees that I have not been able to 
 Procure in flower. Above 4000 feet these moist forests alter considerably in vegetation ; 
Lauracese and Myrtaceæ become very common. Above 5000 feet there is no dry forest, 
es country consisting of grassy tracts and Shola-forests, which are not nearly so dense as 
the moist forests at a lower elevation, nor are the trees nearly so large. The Bracken 
(Pteris aquilina) is very abundant on these mountains, from 3000 feet upwards. Rhodo- 
ndron, Anemone, and Ranunculus commence at 5000 feet. Balsams abound towards 
the Summit of these mountains; most of the species are quite distinct from those of the 
Neileherries and Pulneys. I have described the new species in a paper in the Madras 
Journal of Science. It is a curious fact, that the Rose and the Strawberry are not to be 
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