8 
REPORT ON A BOTANICAL TOUR IN SIKKIM, 1892. 
vary in diameter from 5 to 7 inches, are of an intensely vivid blue on 
opening and change afterwards to purple. 1 was informed by the 
Bhutias that it was not a native of Sikkim, but had been introduced 
by them from Nepal. The mountain top of Jongri, which is admir- 
ably described by Sir J. D. Hooker, is formed of alternating knolls and 
hollows ranging from 13 to 14,000 feet. Much of its surface is covered 
with Rhododey.dron A nthopogon to exclusiorn of other vegeta- 
tion. To the east of the camping ground is a wood of Rhododen- 
drens, mostly R. lanatum and R. cainpannlatufn, About 12,500 feet, 
P yuan la pulchra flourishes on the rocks. 
After staying a fe w days at Jongri 1 marched down to Yoksun. 
For about a mile the path runs eastward along Jongri, and then 
descends steeply for 7,000 feet, enabling one to pass in review the 
gradation of vegetation from alpine regions to the subtropical zone. 
A few gigantic Yew trees grow’ a little above the Ratong. After 
crossing the Ratong, w e travelU d along the slopes on its left bank 
by one of the most difficult and dangerous paths in Sikkim to Yuk- 
sun. This place is unique from its peculiar formation amidst such 
precipitous sun ou ndings. The copsew(iOd which once enhanced the 
beauty of the flat is now' reduced to a gaunt gathering of pollarded 
and charred trunks, but the beautiful little lake is still surrounded by 
forest trees. Here, and everywdiere in Sikkim at the same elevation, 
there are'large areas covered w ith Edgeworthia Gardneri. 
I halted for two days to allow my men to recuperate in such a 
congenial climate. Poly podium rostratum^ so rare in the Darjeeling 
district, is the commonest fern here. As Mr. Gamble once told me 
that Mr. Levinge had found it growing on the same rhizome with 
Dr ymogloasum carnosum, I searched carefully for a confirmation of 
the fact, but I failed to find any instance of it: indeed I did not 
perceive one plant of the latter species. 
Variety of ferns is a notable feature of Yoksun. The commonest 
are Poly podium rostratum, P. menihranaceum^ P. UneatBy P. Boothii^ 
P, fissumy P, amoenum, P. lachnopus y P, argutumy Nephrodiutn 
hiriipeSy various varieties of N. Filix-MaSy tw'O forms of Aspt~ 
dium dculeatum one of A, auriculatumy Oleandra neriiformtSy 
Pteris aqiiilinay P. Wallichtana. Of orchids I observed Mulaxis 
sikkimensisy Microstyiis bilobuy C oology ne ochracedy C. cristatUy 
Otochilus sp , Ena albOy Cymbidiiim Hookerianumy Dendrobiuni 
chrysanf huniySaccolabium calceolare and a species of CalantheXn leaf. 
Remusatta vivipara, Amorphophallus sp., Arisoema speciosuniy Hedy- 
chiuw coronarium and Piper nepaleitsis were common on the rocks 
The principal trees are Erythrtna arborescenSy Castanopsis tri- 
huloides, Picris oviiltj olia y2LvA tw^o species of Aralia, The shrubby 
