1859.] Botanical Notes. 457 



Botanical Notes made during a month* s tour from Moulmein to the 

 three Pagodas and in the Shan States, in the month of February, 

 1859.—% Rev. 0. Parish. 



Having been asked by Major Tickell, to furnish him with a few 

 botanical notes to add to his sketch of a short tour we lately made 

 in company to Thoonzoo, or the " three Pagodas" and thence, 

 through the Siamese Shan States, to the Houngdrau river, I do so 

 with pleasure, though with some diffidence, as my acquaintance with 

 the Flora of these Provinces is exceedingly limited. 



We left Moulmein on the last day of January, and proceeded up 

 the Attarau river in boats. 



As the point where we began our journey is so near the sea 

 (only some thirty miles) it may be as well to commence by stating 

 what the prevailing vegetation is between Moulmein and the mouth 

 of the river. Here, then, on the muddy shores, is seen, as usual 

 in such places, tbe mangrove ; but the most noticeable feature in 

 the vegetation, is a continuous jungle of the graceful Sonneratia 

 apetala, stretching far in, wherever the land is subject to tidal iuun- 

 dation. Underneath the Sonneratia is a dense growth of our com- 

 mon thatch leaf, Nipa fruticans. The elegant little Palm, Phoenix 

 paludosa, is not unfrequent ; and Cerbera manghas may be noticed 

 all along the banks, suspending its apple-like fruit over the water. 

 These are the trees that will probably attract particular attention, 

 as one ascends our large river to Moulmein. 



Leaving this now, and supposing ourselves to be ascending the 

 Attaran, the plant that appears most abundant is Paritium tilia- 

 ceum, which grows all along the water line for several miles, forming 

 a perfect tangle with its twisted stems. A very large and hand- 

 souie Batatas may be occasionally noticed twining about it. Sonne- 

 ratia acida has here taken the place of S. apetala. Barringtonia race- 

 mosa, and one or two species of Diospyros occur here and there. 

 These are close to the water's edge, while, on the bank, and form- 

 ing a narrow belt of jungle (inside which is paddy cultivation) 

 Butea frondosa grows in profusion. Salmalia malabarica, Barring- 

 tonia acutangitla, and Acacia elata or stipulata, are also abundant. 



