ASCENT TO SIMLA. 



511 



up to Syree. Towards this place V. reniformis is seen, not a single 

 northern grass, although Syree must be nearly 5,000 feet high. 



At Sahi, Pinus longifolia, Phoenix, Salix, and Polygonum of Chu- 

 gur- Serai ; this is common as far as Konyar. Acacia, Carandas, 

 Urtica nivea. Rice cultivated. 



About three miles beyond it, there is a beautiful ravine with dense 

 jungle and fine trees, chiefly Laurinea, and I think a Rhus ; this is 

 the only spot I have seen reminding me of the Himalaya to the 

 eastward. 



At Konyar — Toon, Morus, Musa, Deeringia, Berberis, Briedleia. 



The hills are as usual marked with wavy parallel lines, on which 

 nothing appears to grow. These lines are united by smaller oblique 

 ones, whence their origin ? 



30th. — To Simla. The road extends over undulated ground along 

 ridges until the foot of the great ascent is reached ; this is long and 

 steep, especially steep at the first, or Buttiara pass, where it turns 

 to the face of the mountain, and extends through beautiful woods. 

 The ground frozen, with some snow ; from this to Simla the road is 

 tolerably level, and defended on the Khudd, or precipice side by a 

 railing. It then passes through fir woods, etc. in which the exceed- 

 ingly pretty Jay of Bharowli is common. 



The vegetation to the foot of the ascent, and nearly half- way up, 

 is unchanged. Andropogoneous grasses forming the prevailing fea- 

 ture ; but little arboreus or shrubby vegetation occurs. About half- 

 way between Syree and this an ascent takes place, on which Daphne, 

 Hypericum, and Echinops occur. 



Near Syree — Bombax, Ruta albiflora, Daphne, Pteris aquilina, 

 Clutia, Aspidium, Polytrichum nanum and aloides, Hypericum, Ber- 

 beris, Rubus, Prinsepia, Rosa, Jubrung, Grislea, (rare,) Clematis, 

 Cerasus, Datura, Bukhein, Citrus, Spermacoce, Pcederia azurea, and 

 Andropogon bambusifolia were observed. Ficus two species, Ficus 

 repens, Pommereullioid spicis longis, Rubia Mungista, Galium, 

 Polygonum of Chugur, Carissa, (rare,) Amaranthacese, Conyza. 



The great ascent is very instructive ; half-way up observed Gaul- 

 theria, conspicuous from its blood- coloured leaves ; an oak occurs 

 commonly but stunted, and a few stunted Pinus longifolia. 



Buddlaeoides occurs two-thirds of the way up, with Mespilus 

 microphyllus, Alpina, Labiata and Pyrus. 



The oaks and Gaultheria increase in number and size towards 

 Bithuria, Conaria. 



