ID 
REPOKT ON A BOTANICAL TOTR IN SIKKIM, 1892. 
to temperate vegetation takes place with no palpable increase of 
elevation. Cnicus involucratus^ Astragalus pycnorhizus^ Eupato- 
tium camiabinum, Anemone vitijolia^ and a few other plants served to 
accentuate the change. Leptocodon gracilis, a fragile climber with 
blue flowers rambled over bushes ever) where. I collected many 
specimens of Eleopeltis rhynchophylla from a tree at the end of the 
Lachung cane bridge. 
The hill above Choongtam ascends abruptly to 10,000 feet, and is 
almost entirely clad with grass alone. It forms the termination of a 
lofty range running southw ards from Kinchinjhow, and divides the 
Lachen and Lachung valleys. T he Tibetans aver that this long spur 
possesses but one practicable pass, namely the Sebo La between 
Momay Samdong and Tungu ; but by dint of persistent enquiry I dis- 
covered that there are at least two more — one from Lachung to 
somewhere near Latong, the other from Yeumtong to Tallum Sam- 
dong. I was informed that they are rarely used, a fact explained by 
the lack of the necessity of frequent intercourse between the inhabi- 
tants of the two valleys. 
From Choongtam w^e marched to the \nllage of Lachung in one 
day. As far as Keadom the valley is narrow, and the path runs 
along the river bank for most of the way. Here the valley expands 
into a large flat, with an elevation of 6,600 feet, which enjoys such 
a warm and sunny climate that maize, millets and other tropical 
crops are successfully cultivated. Onwards the valley again becomes 
narrow, but two or three miles below Lachung it broadens consider- 
ably and remains open for some miles above the village. 
A large proportion of subtropical trees and plants ascend to a 
short distance above Keadom. These are succeeded by a dense 
shrubby vegetation of Hydrangea^ Rosa macrophylla, and R, sericea, 
Prifisepia u tills, PyruSy Pieris ovalifolia 2 s\^ P, formostty Zanthoxy- 
lum. Rhododendron arboreum, R. ciliatum and Maples, etc. Other 
plants are formosay Buddlcia macrostachya and B Col- 
villeiy Berberisy and Rubus niveus with palatable fruits. Rascooa 
alpinay the Box-like Sarcococca pruniformiB mg in great quantity. 
The handsome fern Osmunda. Claytoniana overruns large areas in 
the manner of Bracken at lower elevations. Two species of 
Leucostegia, L. Ilookeri and Z.. memhranulosay with sw^eetly hay- 
scented foliage, and a large stipitate form of Pleopeltis simplex 
grow in a wood at about 8,000 feet. Goniophlebium ebenipes was 
in dense clusters on the tops of many of the numerous rocks. 
This locality is eminently distinguished by its variety of Conifer- 
ous trees. Abies Webbianay the dominant species on the humid 
mountains of the Singalelah and Chola Ranges, even here maintains 
