%tl Notes on the Flora of Mtrnlfiiur,. [No. 2, 



owing to the greater amount of moisture, is different from that of the 

 open plains. 



At first sight, there is much in the general aspect presented by the 

 flora of Manbhum and the adjoining districts, which is most dis- 

 appointing ; instead of meeting with a realization of one's ideal of a 

 tropical jungle, the effect produced by the vegetation is, in many 

 places, not strikingly different to what we have been accustomed to 

 in the British Isles. 



Dr. Hooker first drew attention to the park-like aspect which pre- 

 vailes in the drier and clearer portions of these districts. 



Bassia, the tamarind, the several species of Ficus, Butea and the 

 Sal, representing, without any great stretch of the imagination being 

 necessary, the Oaks, Fines, Sycamores, Maples and Poplars of 

 temperate climes. 



It is only on the hills, and in the valleys of the sixth zone, that one 

 meets with anything like typical tropical jungle ; even in these com- 

 paratively favourable localities there are no tree-ferns, nor palms, and 

 but few mosses, orchids or herbaceous ferns. 



Contrasting the flora in detail with that of the British Isles, one 

 is struck by the absence of plants belonging to such common ordei-s 

 as Rosacea, Cmciferce, Geraniacece, Violacem and the rareness of 

 species belonging to Ranunauacecg, Umbelliferce and Scrophularinea. 



On the other hand, many of the pond-weeds, Ghara, Nymphcea, Poto- 

 mogeion, Alisma, &c, as well as grasses, Gyperns, ferns, Drosera, 

 Arums, Oxalis, Mistletoe, some of the smaller Labiatce, and both her- 

 barceous and arboreal forms of Leguminosce, together with a Salix, 

 vividly recall their European congeners. Lichens might be added to 

 this list. It is interesting to observe that these are seldom to be 

 found, except on the northern or sheltered faces of the trees, and rocks 

 upon which they grow. 



Throughout the jungles both of the plains and hills, the deep glossy 

 green of the Sal, Shorea robusta, Roxb., gives a marked character 

 to the foliage. In the early part of the year, the white floral leaves 

 of Combretum Roxburyhii, and other species, produce a pleasing corr- 

 irast in the sea of green which meets the eye in every direction. At 

 the commencement of the hot weather, the greater number of the 

 trees lose their leaves which, in some species, are immediately re- 



