SIMLA. 



513 



common, Salix fruticosa ; on Prospect Point, Lycopodium, Herminioid, 

 Epipactis, Orchideae alise, 2 Scitaminese. 



Elaeagnus, Mespilus microphyllus, Polygonum of Chugur ; 2 or 

 3 Amaranthacese ; Prinsepia, rare ; very little variety in ferns ; Pteris 

 chrysocarpa, Aspidium pungens, and another are the most common ; 

 nor is there any variety in Epiphytous ferns, and very few Junger- 

 mannias. The Mosses are Bartramia, Catharinea, Polytrichum aloi- 

 des on banks with Fissidens, otherwise Hypna are the most prevalent. 

 A Neckera hangs from every tree, and a Pterogonio Neckeroid covers 

 almost every trunk, a Brachymenium is likewise common. 



Altogether, though numerous, there is no great variety in form. 



On the summit of Chaka, Quercus, Gaultheria, and Rhododendron 

 are common ; with here and there a Deodar. 



On the east face of that mountain consisting of a long ridge, 

 grasses form the chief vegetation, among which Andropogons and 

 Schcenanthus are not uncommon, Gnaphalia and Artemisia occur; 

 Thymus, Androsace gnaphalioides, Potentilla, Coronilloid, Labiata 

 frutex, Jasminum, Rosa, Mespilus microphyllus, Clematis, Cnicus, 

 Rubus, Labiata alia, Galium, Swertia, Salvia were noticed. 



Of the tropical forms, Andropogoneous grasses are most common, 

 Saccharum rubrum of the Khasyah Mountains, Desmodium, Acan- 

 thacese, and Elaeagnus, which last occurs on Prospect Point. 



Saccharum rubrum extends up to 8,000 feet. 



The woods generally on the surface are matted down with grasses 

 or Carexes, so that there is no variety of surface for the lower orders ; 

 in such places, Ophiopogon is very common. 



Regarding the Coniferse, Pinus excelsa is the rarest, Deodar is the 

 most common ; longifolia occurs principally on a southern projec- 

 tion from Chaka, and on the south face of the Mall ridge. 



December 5th, 1840. — Went to Mount Fagoo. After passing 

 Mount Jacka, or Chaka, you come on a bare country which continues 

 at least on all the southern aspects until you reach the ascent to 

 Muhassoo, which is at first steep, then gradual and long ; the vegeta- 

 tion remains unchanged until the Muhassoo ascent is begun upon ; 

 then Rhododendron, Quercus and Gaultheria soon cease, and their 

 places are occupied by a Quercus much like Q. semecarpifolius, Pinus 

 excelsa also occurs rather abundantly, and of good size, the other 

 vegetation continues. 



The first part of Muhassoo, along which the road runs for some 

 hundred yards under its crest, is occupied by grassy vegetation, 



3 u 



