26 
REPORT ON A BOTANICAL TOUR IN KASHMIR, 1893. 
The next march is to Pilgam. After leaving Aishmakdm the 
valley becomes much more contracted, the ascent is steeper, and the 
vegetation alters considerably. Rice cultivation is left behind ; also 
the chenar tree {PI at anus orient alts), which forms such a character- 
istic feature in the villages of the Kashmir valley. Trees belonging 
to a higher zone now begin to make their appearance, such as 
Aesculus indicay Prunus PaduSy Carpinus vimineUy Acer ceesium^ 
Celtis australiSy and a small-leaved form of Ulmus Wallichiana. 
Parrotia Jacquemontiana is very common for a longdistance up the 
valley. Rhus succedaneuy (vernacular name arkora) was also found. 
Two shrubby species of Indigoferay viz., L heteranthadiwA Latropur^ 
purea)- are abundant, as well as Rubus biflorus with its snowy white 
stems, and Desmodium tiliaefoliuni. The white-flowered Himalayan 
paeony {Pseonia emodi) also occurs here. The higher mountain 
slopes which come into view as we approach Palgam seem to be 
more or less thickly clothed with silver fir, spruce, and pine. My camp 
was pitched amongst the pine trees at the edge of the forest. 
The small parasite {Arceutkobium minutissimum) is very abundant 
in this valley, and the majority of the pine trees which I examined 
were more or less affected. The existence of the parasite can be 
detected from a considerabe distance, as it causes a congested growth 
of the branches and thus completely alters the habit of the tree, or 
that portion of it which is being attacked. It is sometimes found on 
the trunk, but is most abundant on the smaller branches, surrounding 
them with a mossdike covering. It flowers in September. The 
plant is dioeceous, and the male and the female plants form separate 
colonies. 
I arrived at Palgam on the 15th of July. The village is situated 
a short distance above the junction of the two branches of the Liddar, 
and the elevation is about 7,000 feet above the sea. 
On the 17th I took a portion of my camp to a place called Kainmal, 
a small marg about 3,000 feet above Pdlgam on the east side of the 
valley. After three days and three nights of incessant heavy rain 
I managed on the fourth day (July 2ist) to collect a large number of 
interesting plants up to about 12,000 feet. 
The condition of the forests in this valley, like that of many others 
in Kashmir, is an instructive exhibition of the results of allowing 
every sound principle of forest conservancy to be violated. In spite 
of the excellent work already accomplished by the forest officer 
whose services have been lent to the State, a great deal of needless 
damage is still being committed by gujars and shepherds. As an 
instance, I may mention what was specially noticeable. at Kainmal, 
