er 
above the ground, was 1,5 mètres in circumference, and at 
the level of the ground the three together measured about 3 
mètres in circumference. Juniperus pseudosabina has not a 
very close crown, the scale-like, or in some cases needle 
like leaves form foliages far from full or umbrageous. There 
were many dead limbs, doubtless killed by Gymnosporangium 
juniperinum, for the latter’s pale brown spore masses were 
very common on the branches, which showed swellings on 
the infected spots. 
The wood of the junipers had very narrow annual rings, 
indicating the great age of the large trees. Unfortunately I 
had no opportunity to count the rings. 
In the lowest, most fertile part of the juniper grove the 
distance between the trees was 5—7 mètres, thus affording 
light and room for other plants to grow. The ground was 
stony, damp and mouldy with fallen branches and needles. 
It was covered by a somewhat dense herbaceous vegation, 
while between the junipers various bushes and single small 
other trees were scattered. Among the latter we saw only one 
little non-flowering Sorbus, under 3 metres in height, (FEDT- 
SCHENKO mentions S. thianschanika from here), while Berberis, 
(FEDTSCHENKO mentions B. heterophylla from here), Rosa, (both 
were barren), Spiraea crenata, Ribes triste, Lonicera hispida, 
Karelini and microphylla, all with rather large leaves and 
growing to an height of 1—3 metres, and the little fine-leafed 
Lonicera Olgae represented the bushes. I found climbing 
Clematis alpina var. sibirica. There were no other arborescent 
plants and the species already mentioned were so few and 
far between that they contributed but little to the general 
physiognomy of the vegetation. 
The herbaceous vegetation was however rich and varied, 
the profusion of flowers was nothing short of marvelous, 
dotting a carpet of perennial grasses: Poa attenuata, Festuca 
ovina var. vallesiaca, Koeleria cristata, the narrow-leafed Avena 
desertorum, the broad-leafed Poa pralensis, Festuca sibirica, 
Carex supina and nitida, and others. Of “flowering” plants 
the perennials were the most numerous, as a rule 20—30 
centimètres tall with broad leaves and large blossoms. To 
this group belong Trollius songoricus, Ranunculus songoricus, 
