1838.] Report on the Tea Plant of Upper Assam. 



353 



most numerous towards the equator, and as it is conjectured that the small- 

 er number found in the equatorial regions of the Eastern world, is to be 

 attributed to their not having been observed in an equally carefai way ; 

 we may come to the conclusion that the order is in general an equatorial 

 one. I do not, therefore, attach any importance to the existence of this 

 plant, particularly if it be not the Japan species. 



The occurrence of the Tea plant with a decided species of fir, the 

 Pinus Massoniana of Lambert and Sprengel, or Pinus Chinensis, has 

 been a matter of surprise to most of the authors who have noticed the Tea, 

 and who have hence inferred that the climate of such places was similar to 

 that in which fir trees are generally found, that is one of a temperate or sub- 

 alpine nature. Although the genus Pinus is, perhaps, especially if the 

 number of species be considered, abetter indicator of a decidedly cold 

 climate than any other in the order, yet exceptions do exist: a species 

 is found in the dry sandy plains of Virginia and Carolina, as well as on 

 the sea shores of the south of Europe. One species, Pinus halepensis, 

 derives its name from being found about Aleppo as well as on sea 

 coasts of southern Europe ; it is so impatient of cold, that plants cul- 

 tivated in England are liable to be destroyed by frosts. Pinus Can- 

 ariensis is found in the Canary islands from the level of the sea to an 

 altitude of 6700 Parisian feet ; this is remarkable not only from the la- 

 titude of these islands, but from their insular climate, at least at low 

 altitudes. 



In addition to these aberrations, the existence of Pines is by no 

 means dependent on mere elevation in all cases, for although they desend 

 in lat. 30" 31' N. on the Himalayas to within 2000 feet of the plains, 

 none exist on the Khasiya Plills until the torrent of the Boga Panee 

 is reached, along the bed of which they occur. Yet the difference of 

 altitude between the summit of this ravine on the Churra side and the 

 bed of the torrent, cannot be less than 1,500 feet. From this place, 

 which may be estimated at about 4500 feet above the level of the sea, 

 they ascend to nearly 6,000, the highest point of the range in this 

 direction. They descend on the northern, or Nunklow face, to about 

 2,500 feet above the plains of Assam, attaining the greatest perfection 

 at about 3,500 feet. What is more remarkable, no pines exist on the 

 portions of the same range, which I crossed in my late journey to Hook- 

 hoong, although two separate ranges were crossed, one of 5,400, the 

 other of 5,600 feet. Again, on Thumathaya and Laimplangthaya, two 

 mountains well known to the Mishmees, no species of this genus is 

 found, although a few miles farther to the eastward they exist in abun- 

 dance at similar elevations, and even descend to the bed of the Burrum- 

 pootur, along which they were observed by Captain Wilcox. 



