OBSERVATIONS ON HIMALAYAN CONIFERS. 



261 



The Deodar lias not been seen by Dr. Hooker in eastern 

 Nepal or in Sikhim ; in central Nepal, Gorkhalees assure me 

 that it is limited to the snowy range. In Kumaoon, it commonly 

 occurs from 5,000 to 6,000 feet above the sea, in groves by the 

 villages and temples ; as near Lodh, Bala Jagesur, Gungolee- 

 hath, Furka, Lohooghat, Chumpawut ; but though it has spread 

 from some of these centres to a considerable distance, it is wholly 

 unknown on the more remote and lofty mountains, occurs no- 

 where near the snowy range, and, I am persuaded, is not indi- 

 genous. Heber was misinformed as to its presence on the 

 Gagur ; this range exceeds the elevation of 8,500 feet, but is 

 without a trace of cedar ; its Coniferce are Cupressus torulosa, 

 which the good Bishop probably did not see ; and Pinus longi- 

 folia in beautiful forests, which he must have taken for the cedar, 

 as at Agra and Df»hlee he invariably converts the Eoopbas sand- 

 stone into red granite. That the Deodar has been introduced 

 to its actual localities in Kumaoon is proved by the fact, that all 

 the finest trees are found nearest the temples, where the first 

 would naturally be planted, just as in Great Britain the largest 

 yews are those by the churches. The pilgrim to Budureenath 

 and Kedarnath may occasionally be met carrying a young cedar 

 as the most acceptable gift to the shrine, next to the Corn- 



country; and the recent publication of Dr. Griffith's Itinerary Notes (the 

 completion of which, as a debt due to his fame and for their intrinsic 

 value, we may hope will not be long delayed) puts the matter beyond doubt, 

 and amply vindicates Dr. Hooker's view. Abies cedroides is there noted 

 (p. 141, No. 663) in terms which can only apply to A. Brunoniana : the 

 leaves indeed are described as " distant," while Dr. Wallich, PI. As. Ear. 

 III. 24, calls and figures them "valde approximate : " but the rest of the 

 character, and especially the " strobilis terminalibus ovatis ovi pigeonis 

 magnit," corresponds exactly. It may be added, that the long entry made 

 by Dr. G. (p. 331, No. 34) is a proof that he had not seen Cedrus deodara 

 till he travelled in Afghanistan. So far, therefore, as European observa- 

 tion goes, I am not aware that we have any valid evidence that the Deodar 

 is indigenous anywhere along the Himalaya east of Gurhwal. Dr. Mill 

 states (J. A. S,, July, 1833, p. 343), probably on the authority of Dr. 

 Wallich, that it " abounds in the high regions of Nepal," and intelligent 

 natives have corroborated the statement ; but Dr. Wallich does not appear 

 to have visited those districts where the tree may be common, and yet no 

 more indigenous than in Kumaoon. At page 63 of my original paper, 

 *' Pilgrim " (Mr. P. Barron) is cited as authority for the presence and 

 great size of the " cedar firs " on Toongnath mountain ; where, however, 

 a personal search enables me to affirm that none such exist; the only firs 

 are Picea Webbiana and Pindrow, and none of these attaining the girth 

 and stature asserted by him. In like manner his "cedars" at Mirg are 

 actually cypresses ; and his cypresses along the margin of Nynee Tal are, 

 as some one averred, whom he rashly corrects, willows. The accuracy of 

 Moorcroft stands forth in constant contrast with the carelessness and errors 

 of his followers into these regions : he is very seldom wrong : they are 

 scarcely ever right. 



