A BOTANICAL TOUR IN SIKKIM. 199 



having reddish stems with an average height of 3 feet, may of course owe 

 its diminutive size to the more rigorous climate of higher levels preventing 

 its attainment to a normal growth. These two bamboos, the most Alpine 

 species in Sikkim, grow in impenetrable scrubs in the same spongy soil which 

 affords support to Rhododendrons and Pines. 



On the slopes immediately below the summit of Phalut arboreal vegetation 

 is scanty and confined to sheltered ravines. The ground is everywhere covered 

 with a sward of herbaceous plants. Anemone rivularis with blue and white 

 flowers predominates. Primula rotundifolia and P. sikkimensis (the latter 

 affecting marshy situations in company with Calathodes palmata) are common. 

 Meconopsis Wallichii is extremely abundant. The Bhutias eat the young 

 stems of this plant t and the shoots of a Polygonatum are much esteemed by 

 the Gurung shepherds. The young shoots of bamboos are cooked and eaten. 

 Rheum acuminatum is prevalent throughout the whole of Alpine Sikkim, but 

 is not utilized as food. Allium Wallichii, which is equally abundant, is 

 consumed largely, sharing with the common onion the reputation of being an 

 efficacious antidote against the physical discomforts experienced by men and 

 animals at high elevations. 



From Cheabhanjan onwards to Kinchinjunga, the only available path is that 

 used by the shepherds, who pasture their flocks along the whole range during 

 summer. For many miles this track follows the contour of the spur's crest, 

 so that every day's march comprises many descents and ascents. As might 

 be inferred from the proximity of the path to the ridge, streams supplying a 

 sufficiency of water for our camp were few and far between, often necessitat- 

 ing long marches to obtain our two chief desiderata — a space large enough to 

 contain our tents and water for cooking. At the end of the first day we 

 found such a place at Ewanangi, a halting stage for shepherds. Its elevation 

 by B. P. thermometer was 11,174 feet. The camping ground was covered with 

 young plants of the formidable Cnicus eriophoroides, a large thistle. At the 

 commencement of this march we struck the Islumbo Pass and continued in a 

 northerly direction. The path runs through woods of Rhododendron arboreum, 

 R. cinnabarinum, R. Falconeri, R. barbatum, and R. Hodgsoni, Acer caudatum, 

 Betula utilis, Pieris ovalifola, Jum'perus pseudo-sabina, Abies Webbiana, Prunus 

 rufa, Arundinaria spathiflora, &c. These trees grow so densely that very 

 few herbaceous plants exist beneath them. Saxifraga ligulata, a few species 

 of Polygonum, ferns of two species, and several species of Potentilla being 

 most in evidence. A variety of beautiful mosses grow on the rocks. On open 

 knolls the soil is carpeted with Gaultheria nummularia, and the heather-like 

 Cassiope fastigiata. 



The following day's march was from Ewanangi to Megu. Two Gentians 

 become common about 12,000 feet. One Gentiana stylophora, with large, ter- 

 minal, greenish lily-like flowers ; the other Swertia Hoolceri, conspicuous by its 

 brown leaves and inflorescence growing together in whorls on a stem often six 

 feet high. A white and pink Primula is common. Rhododendron Anthopogon 

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