1848.] Observations made on a Botanical Excursion. 371 



plants of a damp hot, a dry hot, and of a temperate climate, in fairly 

 balanced proportions. The prime elements of a tropical Flora were 

 however wholly wanting on Parus Nath, where are neither Peppers, 

 Pothos, Arum, Palms, (except the starveling Phoenix,) tree ferns, Scita- 

 minece at this season, Quttiferas, Vitis or Laurinece. 



In the evening returned to the village, I left early on the following 

 morning, following Mr. Williams' camp who had gone on to Sheergottee. 



In the valleys near the base of the hill were many fine trees, the 

 Buchanania latifolia abounds, with large Terminalias, Diospyros, 

 Lagerstrcemia, and Wrightea tinctoria. A magnificent Ccesalpinia 

 (paniculata ?) hung in festoons over some of the trees, a perfect cata- 

 ract of golden blossoms, relieved by a dark glossy foliage. 



At Doomree (alt. 986 ft.) the hills are of gneiss, and hornblende 

 schist, with a great deal of quartz ; no palms or good trees of any kind. 

 The curious genus Balanites, with JEgle marmelos form abundant bushes. 

 The spear-grass is far too common for comforts in Botanizing. 



Feb. 6th. — Left Doomree, walking, for Lieut. Beadle's Bungalow. 

 The country around Baghodur is still very barren, but improves consi- 

 derably in going westward, the ground becoming hilly and the road 

 winding through prettily wooded valleys. Nauclea cordifolia is very 

 common and resembles a young Sycamore. Crossing some well-bridg- 

 ed streams the road rises a good deal, and at the highest point measured 

 1429 ft. above the sea. The Bombax, (Semul) now leafless, is not uncom- 

 mon, and a very striking tree from its buttressed trunk and gaudy scar- 

 let flowers, swarming with birds, which feed from its honeyed blossoms. 



At 10 o'clock the sun became uncomfortably hot, the Therm, being 

 only 77°, but the black-bulb Therm. 137°. At noon arrived at Lieut. 

 Beadle's at Belcuppee, from whom I experienced a most hospitable 

 welcome. Staying there two days I enjoyed his society during several 

 excursions to the hot spring, &c. I further profited much by his excel- 

 lent knowledge of coloring and appreciation of the natural features of 

 the surrounding country to which the beauty of its landscape is due. 

 The most frequent trees are still the oak-like Mahowa (Bassia), Nauclea, 

 Mango, and Ficus infectoria. These are all scattered however, and do not 

 form forest, such as in a stunted shape, clothes the hills, and consists of 

 Diospyros, Terminalia, Gmelina, Nauclea parvifolia, Conocarpus, &c. 



The rocks are still hornblende schists and gneiss with a covering of 



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