(3) OSTEl\TËLD. PLANTS COLLECTED IN THE RAHENG DISTRICT, UPPER SIAM 711 



waler (I hâve nol personally observed this). Butin the stony, rugged 

 lowland almost ail of the trees are without foliage during 2-4 months. 

 Only along natural streams and the like trees with foliage are lo be found 

 ail the year around. Many différent species are in bloom immediately 

 before the commencement of the rainy period, before or together with 

 the shooting of the leaves. Especially noteworthy at this period are the 

 woody Papilionacese, the Liliiflorae, the Araceee, and the Orchids. Of this 

 tropical or subtropical flora nothing has been collected by me, as my 

 time at this season was very busy. 



« In the proper rainy period the flowering plants are few and incon- 

 spicuous; green in every variety of shade prédominâtes. The rapidity and 

 luxuriance of growlh afler the fîrst showers and heat is phénoménal. 

 Moisture and shadiness are the main life-condilions for the bottomvege- 

 talion. Even though a number of species flower during the entire rainy 

 period, one does not notice many flowers at that time of the year. But 

 against fall, when the rain ceases, a number of species bloom and bear 

 fruit. At this time a very rieh flora of herbes and half-bushes prevails, 

 whose home, judging by their habitus, very well might hâve been in a 

 more temperate région. It is of this flora, as it normally présents itself 

 in December, and occasionally even in January, that I hâve collected my 

 malerial. I hâve taken almost everything, which may be found flowering 

 and fruiting within this very limited territory, at any case every species 

 occurring commonly and in greater numbers. 



« The collection ought consequenlly to give a rather correct idea of the 

 herbaceous flora in a short period of the year, and within a very limited 

 district, viz. : the autumnal bottom végétation in more or less luxu- 

 riant lowland-forests, moreover a number of plants from cleared spaces. 



« The végétation on the sandbanks in the river was at this period not 

 yet properly developed. It frequently does not reach a füll development 

 i>efore spring; but also of this végétation I hâve collected some few 

 species. 



« When ail is faded, the underwood commences to burn, and continues 

 so with intervais, while the fall of the leaves gradually advances: January, 

 February and March. 



« It is quite an exception when any part of the forest escapes the fire. 

 The government takes absolutely no précautions against the fire, such 

 as done in Burma. Villages and solilary houses burn an open space around 

 them as soon as it may be done, as the fire otherwise, if a storm sets in, 

 very easily may devour an entire village. » — 



