REPORT ON A BOTANICAL TOUR IN SIKKIM, 1892. 
route. Composites become more numerous and gregarious. Inula 
Hookeri beautifies dry knolls with its densely leafy stems and large 
heads of^yellovv flowers. Erigeron multiradiatus^ some species of 
Senecio, Anaphalis and Aster are equally plentiful. Various Thah'c- 
trums and Halenia elHptica^ all with blue and white flowers, grow in 
the grass and low thickets. Orchids are well represented by many 
HabenariaSi Satyriuntfand the small purple Orchis Chusua (allied to 
the common O. latifoliaoi England). The Monkshood was flowering 
and attained a height of 6 feet in flat grassy fields. Cattle and horses 
are allowed to graze at large in places infested with this plant, but 
sheep and goats do not possess the same instinctive knowledge of its 
poisonous properties, and great care has to be exercised by th ' 
shepherds when driving them through these localities. 
My near ia germanica^ Allium^ Meconopsts simplicifolia^ whose 
spikes 3 leet in height greatly excel the stunted specimens seen on 
Singalelah, the large wild Rose {Rosa macrophylla)^ with bright red 
fruits, and shrubby Berberries, were all common. 
The following day was Sunday, so I halted at Yeumtong. The 
tents were pitched betw^een the huts and the river which flows 
tranquilly in a broad shallow bed dowm the whole length of the flat. 
Opposite is the snowy mountain with a glacier reaching a lower level 
than any other in Sikkim as Sir J. D. Hooker mentions ; a thick turf 
of grass covered the surface of the flat. A yellow anemone ( A, 
obfusiloha)i with leaves appressed to the ground, a surculose Saxi- 
frage, the Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale^ the aromatic yellow 
Elsholtzia eriostachya and groups of brilliantly yellow flowered 
Senecio diver si fo Hus gave colour to the scene. A small swamp 
north of the camping ground was brightened by the yellow flowers 
of Pedicularis tubifloray and a small doating Ranunculus, and beyond, 
in a small wood of silver fir, I found many specimens of Meconopsis 
simplicifolia and M. nepalensis in fruit. I collected a large supply 
of seed from the former, but nearly every capsule of the latter had 
been destroyed by a small white caterpillar. Neither species ever 
grows in the open, both preferring the shelter afforded by rocks or 
small bushes on the skirts of the thickets. The commonest plant was 
Cnicus eriophoroides with strongly spinose leaves which penetrate 
the thickest cloth, and cause a smarting sensation in the skin. Other 
plants wete Salvia glutinosf, Lychnis nutans, Cucabalus baccifer 
?ind Asarum himalatcum, 
Aroids of the genus Arisoema are common. In early summer 
their tuberous roots are prepared and used for food according to the 
method described by Sir J. D. Hooker. 1 was presented with a few 
glutinous cakes made in the most approved style, but the taste was 
