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MR 



SCOTT ON THE TREE FERNS OF BRITISH SIKKIM 



it is not confined to these valleys, but is also found in the Khasia and Naga Ilills. A, An- 

 dersonl is, so far as yet known, confined to the shadiest forest glades of the llunghee 

 and the Rungjo, where it is found at elevations of from 1000 to 2500 feet, and there by 

 no means uncommon. It was first discovered by Dr. Anderson, Superintendent of the 

 Botanical Gardens here, in 1867. I have therefore much pleasure in associating his name 

 with one of the handsomest of the Indian tree ferns, and one which seems peculiar to those 

 tracts on which, and in spite of all the many predictions of failure, utter unsuitability, 

 &c. &c., he has nevertheless reared some of the most healthy, vigorous, and extensive 

 Cinchona plantations that are to be seen in India*. A. glabra is the most strictly tropical 

 of all the Sikkim species occurring in low tropical valleys, and nowhere ascending, I be- 

 lieve, beyond 800 feet. At this elevation, however, it is rare in the extreme, becoming 

 more abundant downwards, and rather frequent in the moister parts of the Darjeeling 

 Teraie. In passing through the Teraie, on the Ganges and DarjeeHng road, I found in 



adjoining thicket beyond Gareedlioora several handsome 



species from 4 to 8 feet in height, springing, with many others 



young specimens of this 



from a prostrated caudex 



less advanced stagi 



Beyond the Balasun river, in the south forests of the Dulka 



Cinchona-lands 



Jhar, I am mformed by Dr. Anderson that it is very abundant 



hov!''. H 'T- T''? ^"^'^"'""''" "^ *^' *"^° ^''"^ ^^' ^'^^'' ^1*^^^^^^' ^^^^^ ^re, course, 

 beyond the hmits of successful Quina- cultivation) are found on the government-preserved 



habitats of the Quma barks, arborescent ferns are usuaUy found associated with the tree 

 tiie^ir pi esence the happy region where reigns a soft perpetual sprin 



(* Aspects,' vol 



In the Darjeeling Teraie, beyond the region of the tree fern 



species are also 



the dwarf herbaceous 



f« , ^""^ ""^ *^^ "^^^ which -haunt the dripping forests above a verv 



few are now seen, and those no longer perennially verdant, but comporting them k Js n 

 accordance with the changed condition, complete their annual growth in treT^v a^ 

 cold seasons, and pass in a dormant frondless state the subsequent hit mon^ "' ''' 



The general unsuitaWeness of these ir!>oU tr, fi..„ ^u • x, "°'^°'- 



observant who haye seen the IL T \^ V ^^^'S™^*'^ '« ^^^^ Patent to the least 



forests of the hjher luXs VheT 7 "^ "'"' ""* '''' ''" '^ '""^ -^=--1 

 which .e,.nd hew ^^..^^ aXnlhTr ^ ''"^' "^ ''' '^^'^ ^^^^^ 



lected them in October 1868, within 



extra-Teraie fern-flora 



I col 



Bungalow 



radius of two miles from the Siligoree-Dack 



Report 



l>een added, aU of which, as I know 



M.„ plantations) sprinkled with a few .l^^^Zl^yZTZV'^''''' "°' '" '^ '°° ''^"""""^ ^^ «- =" 

 tore in keeping clear gap, of bare land. ^ ^ '^'^'""' *'-'=*^'' =«'^. ™«sequently, expendi- 



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