1846.] and Boorun Passes over the Himalaya. 95 



if in a head of cabbage. This plant is common amongst the large rocks 

 from Doodach nearly to the summit of the Pass, and is also sacred. It is 

 called " Birm (or Brem) Kounl (or Kouwul)," i. e. "Brahma's Lotus;" 

 a similar species on the high mountains behind Cheenee, has a strong 

 odour of musk. 



Fraser found the " Birmah Counla" on the Bumsooroo Pass, between 

 Sookhee and Jumnootree, and describes it thus — Stalk covered with 

 large and long leaves, somewhat like those of a primrose, ending in a 

 cup like that of a tulip, appearing merely the continuation of these 

 leaves, closing and forming the petals of a very noble flower, in the 

 centre of which the stamina and pistil are seen. Petals greenish to- 

 wards the base, but the middle and higher parts are black and yellow, 

 as is the centre of the cup, but more vivid. The latter part of the des- 

 cription appears derived from a Fritillaria, and very possibly from the same 

 plant which, " Pilgrim" (pp. 66, 67) says is so beautiful at Kadarnath in 

 April : and though growing on the hard ground and out of the melting 

 snow, is called " Lotus." In Kemaon, the Iris nepalensis is known as the 

 Neela Kumul, or blue Lotus ; and is a favourite plant with fukeers, &c. 



Amongst the other plants found at Doodach and on to-day's route were 

 two species of Aconitum. One, which seems to be known as A. dissectum 

 (Hamiltonii or Speciosum) abounds at this elevation, and has the leaves 

 cut into five segments, with light blue blossoms. It is called here 

 Doodhiya Moura, but in Kunawur, Tilia Kachung. The other species, 

 Aconitum ferox, is called Moura-bikh, or simply " Mora" (from mri, to 

 die,) and is reckoned extremely poisonous. It only occurred in one spot, 

 a mile or two above Kala Koondar, growing in an extensive patch, the 

 stems from four to six feet high, with long dense racemes of splendid 

 deep blue flowers : the follicles three. The mountaineers were shocked 

 when I told them that an equally deadly species was a favourite flower 

 in our English cottage gardens, where they concluded it could only be 

 planted in the view of occasionally getting rid of a superfluous boy or girl. 

 The handsome Ligularia arnicoides (figured by Royle,) was in full bloom 

 every where about and above Doodach, and in similar situations all over 

 the Snowy and Changsheel ranges. On the south side of the Roopin 

 Pass there is another species, with reniform leaves. By the rivulets 

 on the route, and high upon the Pass, the Primula stuartii and 

 P. purpurea are abundant, and now with ripe seed. They are both 



