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396 JOURNAL, Bf^MBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X, 



estimated that, excluding grasses, about 140 flowering plants are found 

 at Matheran which have not been seen at Mahableshwar, and 130 at 

 Mahableshwar which have not been seen at Matheran. There are, no 

 doubt, certain causes regulating the distribution of plants which are not 

 equally operative at both places. Mahableshwar is about 70 miles 

 nearer the Equator than Matheran. The latter rises from the 

 plain of the Konkan, midway between the Western Ghats and 

 the sea ; whereas Mahableshwar is further from the sea, and is, 

 to all intents, a part of the range of Ghats, The highest point of 

 Matheran is about 2,500 feet above the sea-level ; whereas the Maha- 

 bleshwar plateau is at a general elevation of 4,500 feet above the sea, 

 and at Sindola rises to 4,700 feet. These differing conditions are not 

 without their effect. Some plants are found at Mahableshwar which 

 will not thrive on the lower mountain-top. Some Matheran plants, 

 on the other hand, find the higher levels of Mahableshwar beyond 

 their range. I will give here only a few instances. The most casual 

 observer is struck by the wonderful undergrowth of brake- fern at 

 Mahableshwar, and of the arrowroot plant, — which in the months of 

 October and November blooms on almost every square yard of the 

 jungle, — and by the beautiful profusion of the Osmunda fern, mixed 

 with brambles, clustering roses and willows, along the upper stream of 

 the Yenna River. At Matheran, the brake-fern is scarcely known. 

 In a few years it will be extinct, if it is not already so ; for it cannot 

 defy the onslaughts of thoughtless fem-hunters. It would be impossible 

 for any number of fern-hunters to destroy it at Mahableshwar. Even 

 if unmolested at Mutheran, it drags on at best but a feeble existence. 

 The site is too low for it, the lowest limit of its range in our latitude 

 being probably at a line at least 2,000 feet above the sea level. The 

 Osmmida again is not known at Matheran ; nor is the willow {Salix 

 tetraspermct) ; nor the arrowroot {Hitchenia caulina) ; though other 

 allied plants of the order Scitaminece are plentiful enough. On 

 the other hand, there are some well-known Matheran trees, such 

 as the Kumbha (Caret/a arborea)^ the Malia or Indian Ebony 

 {Diospyros asshnilis), and the Chandara (^Macaranga Iloxburghii)^ 

 which do not grow on the Mahableshwar plateau at all. Dr. T. 

 Cooke made the flora of Mahableshwar and Matheran a special 

 study for many years, and prepared a '' Note " on the more prpiiii"^"^ 



