226 FLORA INDICA. 



8. NuBRA. — We have extended this province to the whole 

 of the south flank of the Kouenhuij from Balti to Nari ; it 

 includes the districts of Nubra, Pangong, and Rodok, and is 

 comprised within the basin of the Shayuk river and its afflu- 

 ents^ including the Pangong lakes^ which have now no exit^ 

 but which there is good evidence to prove once drained into 

 the Shayuk river. This is the most lofty and sterile province 

 of Tibet, except Nari ; the axis of the Kouenlun being pro- 

 bably continuously upwards of 18,500 feet in elevation, and its 

 main ramifications being equally lofty. The valleys enclosed 

 between the latter extend for many miles at 16-17,000 feet, 

 whilst numerous peaks in all parts rise 20-23,000. The ele- 

 vation of the Karakoram Pass, on the axis, is 18,300 ; that of 

 the Pangong lakes, which are very salt, 13,400 feet; and they 

 are surrounded by mountains of 19,000 feet. The elevation 

 of two of the passes over the range dividing the Indus from 

 the Shayuk valley, north of Le, are 17,000 and 19,000 feet. 



There is little peculiarity in the vegetation of Nubra ; the 

 plants of the lowest valleys are those of the Indus in Balti, 

 Populus Euphratica being plentiful. Ulmus pumila occurs 

 nowhere else in Tibet. Walnut and El(2agnus here find their 

 northern limit, and are both scarce. In respect of cultivation, 

 the Nubra valley is superior to any other part of Tibet of 

 equal elevation, being comparatively well wooded, and the 

 trees often affording shade, whilst green lanes blooming with 

 Clematis and rue, and hedges of Hippophae enclosing fields of 

 mUlet, wheat, buckwheat, and rape, are common around the 

 villages. The only peculiar plants are a curious dwarf Berberis 

 {B. ulicina, nob.) which grows at 14-15,000 feet, and a white- 

 flowered Allium at 11,000 feet. 



Eastern Tibet is quite unknown to us botanically and 

 geographically. The scanty notices published by the few tra- 

 vellers who have been able to penetrate into the interior of 

 that strictly guarded country lead to the conclusion that it 

 has the same general aspect as Western Tibet, as far east at 

 all events as Jigatzi or Teshu Lumbu and Lhassa. The oral 



