ami its superabundant wealth in individual species of rhododendrons. 

 I only collected about 200 species of plants in flower and fruit. There 

 was, however, evidence to prove that the floral harvest would have 

 been more remunerative later in the season. Dr. Hooker, in his 

 appendix on the Physical Ceograpln of Sikkim, states "their banks 

 " (or rivers) between 8,000 and 14,000 feet are generally covered with 

 " rhododendrons, sometimes to the total exclusion of other wooded 

 " vegetation, especially near the snowy mountain, a cool temperature 

 " and great humidity being the most favourable conditions for the 

 " luxuriant growth of this genus." Such conditions prevailing 

 throughout the Singalelah range ' 

 account for the overwhelming f 



also be accepted as probable reasons for the comparative absence of 

 1 baceous pi is i ordinal and •_ are unable to 



maintain a struggle for existence in such an adverse climate and against 

 such formidable competitors. 



Second Tour. The Lachung Valley. — I arrived at Tumloong on the 

 7th July, and was detained there until the 21th waiting for supplies 

 whieh were delayed by the break of communications caused by the 



Immediately on their receipt I commenced my second excursion, and 

 marched through the hot tropical valley of the Teesta, arriving at 

 Choongtam at the junction of the Lacben and Lachung rivers on' the 



28th. Xear Choongtam a remarkable transition from tropical to 

 place, mth no palpable increase of elevation. 



f-'itici's iuv.li', rrJ>iz>isJ-:npat< fitim ccnmabini/iH, 



Anunc.u vitifvliit, and a few other plants, sewed to accentuate the 

 change. Leptoeoihm {/radii-:, a fragile climber with blue flowers, 

 rambled oyer hushes everywhere. I collected many specimens of 

 VYw,.-., ///.. r/ij/;n-Ii<i///iy//i/ from a tree at the end of the L.-tchiiii" cane 



The hill above Choongtam ascends abruptly to 10,000 feet, and is 



almost entirely rla-l with grass -lone. it foi ms the termination of .-, 

 Io!f . v range n iividea the 



Laehen and Lachung valleys. The Tibetans aver that this Ion- spur 

 possesses but one practicable p : „s, namely (lie Sebo La between Momav 

 SamdongandTungu.hu! by dint of persistent onquity I di -covered that 

 there are at least two more— one from Lachung to somewhere near 

 Lateiig, the other from Veuintong to Tallinn S.nndong. I was informed 

 i fact explained by the laekV the necessity of 



frcjti-n 



■ ' 



bet' 



preen 



the 



inhal 









From 



i Choongtam 









to the village of Lachunjr in one dav. 



As fan 



is Keadom tl 











w, and the path runs ah 





riv, :■ l,a 



nk for most i 



■ f tl 







Here the valley \ 



■xpands into 















which enjoys 

























fuliyYu 



hivated. Oi 











.gain become- 



narrow, but 







iles below La 









idJns 



considerably, 











































above Ke ; 





i. 'J 

 /. If,, 



.he.- 



;;;,,.;:;; 



phylluZ-All 



'orient. P; 





- 



on of //,/./..-„ 



n U u 



Htllls, J 



>«,, Pirri, 





'%?:, 









. 









If. 







maples, eve. 



Other pla 

 ColnUri,} 





Lfyost 



n-iafnrou a 



, n>, 



■,!■!!, , 



a >i, 



urn.* 



fachi/aMi,\ 11 



■ 













fruit 



s. Roscveit a 







