Feb. 1848. VEGETATION OF PARAS-NATH. 23 



with the berberry, a beautiful Indigofera, and various 

 other shrubs j a Bolbophyttum grew on the rocks, with a 

 small Begonia, and some ferns. There were no birds, 

 and very few insects, a beautiful small Poiitia being the 

 only butterfly. The striped squirrel was very busy 

 amongst the rocks ; and I saw a few mice, and the traces 

 of bears. 



At 3 p.m., the temperature was 54°, and the air 

 deliciously cool and pleasant. I tried to reach the western 

 peak (perhaps 300 feet above the saddle), "by keeping 

 along the ridge, but was cut off by precipices, and ere I 

 could retrace my steps it was time to descend. This I was 

 glad to do in a doolie, and I was carried to the bottom, 

 with only one short rest, in an hour and three quarters. 

 The descent was very steep the whole way, partly down 

 steps of sharp rock, where one of the men cut his foot 

 severely. The pathway at the bottom was lined for nearly 

 a quarter of a mile with sick, halt, maimed, lame, and 

 blind beggars, awaiting our descent. It was truly a 

 fearful sight, especially the lepers, and numerous unhappy 

 victims to elephantiasis. - 



Though the botany of Paras-nath proved interesting, its 

 elevation was not accompanied by such a change from the 

 flora of its base as I had expected. This is no doubt due 

 to its dry climate and sterile soil; characters which it 

 shares with the extensive elevated area of which it forms 

 a part, and upon which I could not detect above 300 species 

 of plants during my journey. Yet, that the atmosphere 

 at the summit is more damp as well as cooler than 

 at the base, is proved as well by the observations as by 

 the vegetation;* and in some respects, as the increased 



* Of plants eminently typical of a moister atmosphere, I may mention the 

 genera Bolbophyllum, Begonia, J^ginetia, Disporum, Roxburghia, Panax, Eugenia, 



