72 



Remarks on the Vegetation 



[July 



bill ; it occurs in two varieties. The Hedijotis Lesclienaltn, also breaks 

 into several varieties, with change of soil and situation but in none of 

 them is the variation so great, as in the Myosotis scorpioides of 

 Europe. 



Few ornamental plants have been brought from Europe to the Hills, 

 but the whole that are cultivated in the British gardens might be ex- 

 pected to succeed; and, in addition, many from the warmer climates of 

 the Cape, Peru, Australia and China. Large deciduous trees would 

 not be an improvement, at least near Ootacamund; but the small sorts, 

 as hawthorn, lilac and laburnum, would be desirable ; the laburnum, 

 especially, from the hardy nature of its seeds, would succeed much 

 better, and might be more quickly multiplied than any other, while, as 

 a valuable timber, it ranks with ebony and box. Ornament may seem 

 but a secondary consideration; still it would not be altogether out of 

 place in the vicinity of Ootacamund, where, with a little attention to 

 planting and laying out the grounds, great effect might be produced 

 with little trouble, and with the prospect of ultimate profit. Much 

 might be done in this way, when the advantages of climate are so 

 great, and an experimental arboretum might be formed with little 

 difficulty. 



One great improvement to the scenery of the Hills would be the 

 introduction of firs : it is a singular fact, that, although Ootacamund 

 is the very region in which firs would thrive, not one of the Conifer as 

 is to be found on any part of the Hills. In Nepal the firs appear to 

 commence at an altitude of 6,000 feet, or about the level of Koonoor j 

 the hills therefore would exactly suit them. The grandest firs are the 

 Norfolk Island, New Zealand and Chilian, pines ; but seeds of these 

 could with difficulty be procured. The most readily obtained would 

 be the several firs growing wild in Nepal; the cedar and firs of the 

 Levant, also, would succeed perfectly well, and seeds might be safely 

 and quickly conveyed by the steamer. But, if seeds were sent from 

 Nepal by dawk, they might be depended on as quite fresh ; small 

 quantities would be sufficient, and, in this manner, plantations of firs 

 might be rapidly extended along the lake, and lower grounds, at 

 Ootacamund, where they would soon be found to surpass the indi- 

 genous trees in luxuriance of growth. 



Other seeds might be sent from Nepal, that would be of conse- 

 quence to the Neilgherries, but none more likely to succeed than the 

 firs, and none perhaps would be found more useful. For purposes of 

 building, they are quite adapted, and as firewood, should it become 

 scarce, they are the best that could be used, and have the desirable 

 recommendation of burning while green. The absence of firs of 

 natural growth on the Hills, seems more owing to their (the hills) 

 remote situation from the geographical area of the firs, than to any 



