1864.] On the Vegetation of the Jhelum District. 



313 



Hills of the Salt Eaistge. 



In ascending through the gorges, on the red marl of the salt 

 strata, we meet with two species (undescribed) of Pluchea growing in 

 great magnificence and presenting the characters of tree shrubs. These 

 are particularly characteristic plants of the marl. 



As we rise still higher, passing above the salt strata, we come upon 

 the " Pupper," Buxus sempervirens, occurring in great quantity, more 

 particularly at the head of the gorge at Keutha, and producing wood 

 of good quality which, however, is not used for any particular purpose 

 by the inhabitants. The branches are, however, largely used for 

 thatching, for which purpose the durability of the leaves renders 

 them well fitted. 



On the summit of the range, which averages 2000 feet above 

 the plains on the south, we come upon a jungle very similar to that 

 existing on the low ranges of hills, but consisting largely of the Olive, 

 Cow. with Prosopis spicigera and an occasional Acacia PJburnea, in 

 addition to the plants common in the latter. There is, however, none 

 of the A. Arabica. Besides these, characteristic of the range, we have 

 Dodonwa Burmaniana in great quantity. 



ForsJcolea tenacissima. 



Astragalus leuco-cephalus, Benth. 



Barleria cristata. 



Lindenbergia polgantha, Boyle, with Allium rubellum and several 

 species of Asparagus, viz., racemosus, curillus, &c. 



On the southern aspect of the range, from its base to its top, pass- 

 ing up the gorges, we have Salvadora oleoides forming a large por- 

 tion of the jungle. But the moment we rise to the actual summit, 

 and bend our way northwards, not a single plant of it is to be seen, its 

 distribution being limited to the west of the Surafur hills and the 

 south of the salt range. 



These jungles supply large quantities of fire-wood but no timber 

 whatever. 



The Plains on the Salt Kange. 



These are alluvial plains occurring interspersed throughout the 

 hills, many of them consisting of a limestone formation, and having 

 occasionally streams of fresh water running through them. These 

 streams in general make for the river Jhelum, and entering the salt 

 strata ? become impregnated with saline matter, which they deposit on 



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