By J. F. Royle, Esq. 



467 



seeds in a vegetative state, as the distance to be traversed is enor- 

 mous, and the variety of climates to be undergone considerable, as 

 well in the plains of India, as in having twice to cross the line. 

 But it is hoped that when the navigation of the Indus is freely 

 opened, great facilities will exist for transporting the productions 

 of the Himalaya to the shores of Europe, as by leaving their 

 native mountains before the winter commences, they might be con- 

 veyed down the Indus and up the Red Sea, and reach a temperate 

 climate without ever being subjected to any excessive degree of 

 heat. 



In conclusion, it is only necessary to add, that the soil in which 

 these plants are produced is very varied, but produced chiefly from 

 the decomposition of the primary rocks, as Gneiss, Mica and Clay 

 slates, with occasionally an addition of limestone rock, and generally 

 the presence of decayed vegetable matter. At Mussooree the 

 substratum is a good clayey loam, but the surface is black coloured 

 soil from the admixture of much decayed vegetable matter, and 

 the vegetation very luxuriant, as every where in these mountains 

 where limestone is the prevalent rock. It may also be mentioned 

 that I have always found it preferable in transplanting these plants 

 to place them rather among other plants, where there is some shade 

 and shelter (but not so much as to impede the circulation of air, 

 or the growth of the plant) rather than to expose them to the vicis- 

 situdes of an exposed situation. This measure seems to be chiefly 

 useful in producing a greater equality both of temperature and of 

 moisture, as the sun's rays have less power in heating and drying up 

 the soil during the day, and there is less free radiation, and of 

 course a smaller degree of cold during night, while the soil is kept 

 more uniformly moist from being less exposed to the sun as well as 

 to drying winds, and from some portion of moisture being always 

 communicated to the atmosphere by the neighbouring plants. 



vol. i. 2nd series. 3 Q 



