NATURALIST IN INDIA. 63 



of the middle and upper regions. But what gives a most 

 characteristic appearance to each of these belts is their 

 flora. Although perhaps not so well defined as that of 

 the Andes, still the tropical, temperate, and arctic forms 

 preserve their position with marked regularity. Thus the 

 naturalist from Kalka, at the foot of the Sewalik range, on his 

 journey by the hiU-road to Simla, can trace without difficulty 

 the gradual botanical changes, from the stunted palm-tree to 

 the gnarled oak, on to the stately pine, and thence to the lichen 

 and rhododendron. The journey through the mountains to 

 Simla and other hill-stations is usually performed by a litter, 

 sedan-chair, or on horseback. The stages are easy, and there 

 is tolembly good accommodation at the various halting-places. 

 So marked are the gradations of climate, and so rapid, that 

 from the torrid heat of the plains, and 90° Fahrenheit in the 

 shade, one may be easily transported in forty-eight hours to 

 a temperature below zero. The scenery of the lower ranges 

 is exceedingly striking and beautiful. I felt as if suddenly 

 conveyed to the temperate zone, and more especially when the 

 stately cheer-pines, wild roses, jessamines, violets and dande- 

 lion met my view ; but, however, there was an admixture of 

 stranger plants and trees peculiar to the region, then quite 

 unknown to me, such as the coral-tree with its gorgeous red 

 flowers, and oaks with laurel-shaped leaves. 



The mountains forming the lesser ranges which border on 

 the plains of India present in general great broken chains 

 running for the most part parallel and from east to west, 

 separated by broad valleys called khuds; in the interior 

 this regularity is less observable, and the mountains, instead 

 of rounded summits, have a bold and well-defined outline. 



The rainy season commences on the lower ranges towards 

 the end of June. After a few showers vegetation springs up 



