NOTES ON A JOURNEY FROM POONA TO NAGOTNA, 95 
thoroughly explored the country without finding it ; probably it is 
the same palm as occurs in a dwarf state in North Kanara between 
Sirei and Kumta and on the ghats east of Goa. It has been identi- 
fied as Phcsnix robust Hook. f. 
A few miles from Bhorkus we crossed the Khadshee stream, and 
a fatiguing morning had a delightful recompense. The rocks were 
covered with Podostemon Hookerianus^ Wedd., with about an inch 
of water flowing over it. The thalloid stems, in patches of vivid 
crimson, yellow and green with the clear water and bright sunshine, 
made a charming picture. On the rocks above the water line were 
dichotomously' branched white lines, J inch in breadth, so greatly 
resembling a lichen that I had previously taken it to be one ; but 
a close examination showed it to be the dried up stems of the 
Podostemon. Terniola Lawii^ Wedd., was also abundant, covering 
rocks like a moss. Here the stream makes a leap of 10 — 15 ft. 
and has worn deep circular pools in the rock, which are alive with 
large fish ; a species of Barbus and Murrel {Ophzocephalus) were 
easily distinguishable. The fish are considered sacred, and we were 
warned in a mysterious whisper not to linger neir the place as it 
is believed to be under supernatural protection. 
The valley Khor Barsa was occupied by rice-fields lately har- 
vested. Cyathocline luteUy Law, gave a golden sheen to the banks 
and Hygrophila serpyllum, T.A., spread a green and purple carpet 
on the damp soil. The sides of the fields had abundant Cypera- 
cese with a small Eriocdulon and Geissapsis crtsfata, W. and A., 
and around the cattle sheds are fences of Adhatoda vas'ca^ Nees, 
and Vitex NegundOy Linn., intermingled with the large nettle 
Gtrardinia heterophyllay Dene, and Elephantopiis scabevy Linn., 
Marathiy Baltan ; Alysicarpus pubescens, Law, was frequently seen. 
At the western end of the Khor Barsa lies the village Tail Bayla, 
and a short distance further is a precipitous pass to the Concah, named 
Savashni Ghat. The distance from Tail Bayla to Dhonsa in the 
Concan is only 2 J miles as measured on the map, but it occupied s:ix 
hours of the most severe toil In that distance the descent is nearly 
2,000 feet, and the path is as steep as a path may be. It is a verit- 
able ladder of the roughe.st description, and to one not accustomed 
to such exercise fatiguing beyond measure. The joker of the party, 
however, was not sufficiently damped. He paihetically remarked the 
ancient philosopher who said it was easy to descend must be excused, 
he had never been on Savashni Ghat, While moving no one could - 
look at anything but where ^ e was placing his feet ; but during the 
frequent halts were observed Polytoca Coobe/ confined to a narrow 
