May, 1848. CAMP. HEAVY RAIN. 168 



ascent and prevalence of tropical species is due to the 

 humidity and equability of the climate in this temperate 

 zone, and is, perhaps, the direct consequence of these con- 

 ditions. An application of the same laws accounts for the 

 extension of similar features far beyond the tropical limit 

 in the Southern Ocean, where various natural orders, which 

 do not cross the 30th and 40th parallels of N. latitude, 

 are extended to the 55th of S. latitude, and found in 

 Tasmania, New Zealand, the so-called Antarctic Islands 

 south of that group, and at Cape Horn itself. 



The rarity of Pines is perhaps the most curious feature 

 in the botany of Tonglo, and on the outer ranges of Sikkim ; 

 for, between the level of 2,500 feet (the upper limit of 

 P. longifolid) and 10,000 feet (that of the Taxus), there is no 

 coniferous tree whatever in Southern Sikkim. 



We encamped amongst Rhododendrons, on a spongy soil 

 of black vegetable matter, so oozy, that it was difficult to 

 keep the feet dry. The rain poured in torrents all the 

 evening, and with the calm, and the wetness of the wood, 

 prevented our enjoying a fire. Except a transient view 

 into Nepal, a few miles west of us, nothing was to be seen, 

 the whole mountain being wrapped in dense masses of 

 vapour. Gusts of wind, not felt in the forest, whistled 

 through the gnarled and naked tree-tops ; and though the 

 temperature was 50°, this wind produced cold to the 

 feelings. Our poor Lepchas were miserably off, but always 

 happy : under four posts and a bamboo- leaf thatch, with no 

 covering but a single thin cotton garment, they crouched 

 on the sodden turf, joking with the Hindoos of our party, 

 who, though supplied with good clothing and shelter, 

 were doleful companions. 



I made a shed for my instruments under a tree ; 

 Mr. Barnes, ever active and ready, floored the tent with logs 



