284 KHASIA MOUNTAINS. Chap. XXIX. 



The mean temperature of Churra (elev. 4000 feet) is 

 about 66°, or 10° below that of Calcutta; which, allowing 

 for 2-|° of northing, gives 1° of temperature to every 290 

 to 300 feet of ascent. In summer the thermometer often 

 rises to 88° and 90°; and in the winter, owing to the 

 intense radiation, hoar-frost is frequent. Such a climate 

 is no less inimical to the cultivation of plants, than is the 

 wretched soil : of this we saw marked instances in the 

 gardens of two of the resident officers, Lieutenants Raban 

 and Cave, to whom we were indebted for the greatest 

 kindness and hospitality. These gentlemen are indefa- 

 tigable horticulturists, and took a zealous interest in our 

 pursuits, accompanying us in our excursions, enriching our 

 collections in many ways, and keeping an eye to them and 

 to our plant-driers during our absence from the station. In 

 their gardens the soil had to be brought from a considerable 

 distance, and dressed copiously with vegetable matter. 

 Bamboo clumps were planted for shelter within walls, and 

 native shrubs, rhododendrons, &c, introduced. Many Or- 

 clddece throve well on the branches of the stunted trees which 

 they had planted, and some superb kinds of Hedychium in 

 the ground ; but a very few English garden plants throve in 

 the flower-beds. Even in pots and frames, geraniums, &c, 

 would rot, from the rarity of sunshine, which is as preju- 

 dicial as the damp and exposure. Still many wild shrubs 

 of great interest and beauty flourished, and some European 

 ones succeeded with skill and management; as geraniums, 

 Salvia, Petunia, nasturtium, ( chrysanthemum, Kennedya 

 rubicunda, Maurandya, and Euchsia. The daisy seed sent 

 from England as double, came up very poor and single. 

 Dahlias do not thrive, nor double balsams. Now they 

 have erected small but airy green-houses, and sunlight is 

 the only desideratum. 



