154 



Notices of Books. 



[July 



vegetation become both more narrow and less specifically defined. Mr. 

 Royle, however, reduces them first, generally, under two heads, viz., 

 from 5,000 to 9,000 feet of elevation, and from the latter number to 

 the highest limit of vegetation ; and then enters into details regarding 

 each, of extreme interest, but scarcely admitting of the necessary 

 abridgement to suit our present purpose. We shall endeavour merely 

 to seize some of the more prominent points. 



" The height of 5,000 feet is chosen to mark the lower limit 

 of the first division, because some few tropical perennials reach 

 it, and snow seldom falls much below it ; while the upper limit 

 of 9,000 feet is in like manner selected, because to that height 

 the snow always gives way before the rains set in, under the 

 high temperature which characterizes the summer season in this 

 latitude. Between the two, some few tropical herbaceous plants are 

 still found, but the arboreous vegetation is exclusively that of tem- 

 perate regions. Mr. Royle is minute in his details on both heads. 

 He further points out the analogies between the Flora of this district 

 and those of China, Japan, North and South America, the Cape 

 of Good Hope, and some of the Atlantic islands. The double culti- 

 vation of tropical and hardy grains, as rice and wheat, already noticed 

 as characterizing the plains at the foot of the Himalayas, is also found 

 here, but rather on adjoining hills and valleys than on the same spots, 

 though instances of this last also occur, arising in part from facilities 

 for irrigation. The grasses are very rich and succulent within 

 this district ; wheat everywhere ripens well in it; the peach, apricot 

 and vine thrive in it ; the mustard tribe is extensively cultivated as 

 yielding oil-seeds ; and the potato, which has been recently introduc- 

 ed, is found to give heavy returns. In some districts, where fodder is 

 scarce, cattle are fed on the leaves of certain trees, as Grewia, Ulmus, 

 Quercus, and even some of the Coniferce, these being stacked for the 

 purpose. Mr. Royle also gives details regarding the zoology of this 

 district, which partakes of the mixed character of its vegetation. Of 

 monkeys the Entellus ascends to 9,000 feet. The tiger, leopard, and 

 others of the feline tribe, follow their prey to nearly the same height. 

 The wild dog and hog abound. The Cervus Jurao, or great stag, 

 is common, as also the Cervus Rutwa, or barking deer. Antelopes 

 properly belong to the higher region, but are found to stray also into 

 this. The eagle and vulture are common ; pheasants abundant ; crows 

 and jays frequent ; cuckoos most common. Among insects, the glow- 

 worm and butterflies closely resemble those of colder climates. 



" The peculiarities of the lofty regions, on the other hand, closely 

 and exclusively resemble those of high latitudes. The snow lying long, 

 the increase of temperature, when it disappears, is very rapid ; and 



