A BOTANICAL TOUR IN KASHMIR. 83 



Parbat and Rakapushi are exceedingly fine, and I was fortunate in being able 

 to see these wonderful mountains by moonlight as well as at sunset and 

 sunrise. I rode into Bunji the next morning and spent the rest of the day 

 there, and collected some plants in the evening. 



I rode to Ramghat on the following morning (13th August), and walked 

 from there to Doain, a steep ascent of 4,000 feet, and on the following day 

 explored the ridge above Doian up to 12,000—13,000 feet. There were fine 

 views looking over into the Leta and Buldar nullahs and down the Indus 

 Valley towards Chilas. A large number of most interesting plants were 

 collected in the forest above Doian and on the open parts higher up, the 

 most important discovery being that of Pyrola secunda, a species new to the 

 flora of British India. 



On the 15th I got as far as Harcho, and arrived at Astor on the following 

 day. I had to stay here four days to try and recruit my health, which had 

 commenced to give way at Gilgit owing to extremes of temperature and 

 over-exertion. 



Mr. A. C. Blaker, of the firm of Messrs. Spedding, Mitchell & Co., had a 

 permanent camp here, and he gave me much assistance and was most kind and 

 hospitable. 



I left Astor on the 21st, intending to go as far as Chugam below Rattu in 

 the Kamri Valley, but was detained a short way below where the Rupal 

 Stream joins the Astor River. A bridge had given way and was being repaired. 

 There is a grand view from here looking up towards Nanga Parbat. Some 

 interesting specimens were collected near the banks of the river. 



The next day I made an attempt to reach the village of Tarshing in the 

 Rupal Valley, and at the foot of one of the big glaciers below Nanga Parbat. 

 I managed to get up the valley about half-way, when I unfortunately became 

 ill again and I had to return. The botany near the glacier must be extremely 

 interesting, and I still hope I may be able some day to explore this locality. 



I encamped that night near the village of Rattu in the Kamri Valley ; 

 elevation 6,800 feet. The valley here is open, and with fine views of Nanga 

 Parbat to the north and the Mir Malik Valley which joins the Kamri Valley 

 a few miles further up towards the south-west. Beyond the village there are 

 broad stretches of undulating pasture-land known as the Rattu plains The 

 whole valley, in fact, is beautifully clothed with grass, and there are some 

 fine patches of forest, especially on the sides of the nullahs coming down to 

 the left bank of the river. 



I went on to Gumin the next day, a very beautiful march, and excellent for 

 botany, elevation about 9,000 feet, and on the 24th arrived at the camping- 

 ground of Kalapani, the elevation of which is about 10,600 feet. 



On the following day, leaving my camp here, 1 started off in the early 

 morning to explore one of the nullahs on the western side of the valley. I 

 managed to get up to an elevation of 12,500 feet, where a large number of 

 interesting specimens were obtained. 



