BOTANICAL TOUR IN CHAMBA AND KANGRA. 
185 
comparatively level and skirts the bank of the Ravi. Olea cuspidata 
seems to be the commonest small tree. Zanthoxylum alatu^n^ 
Zizyphus Jujuba^ Adhatoda Vasica^ Prinsepia utilis are also 
abundant and a gaunt tree-like Euphorbia grows on the cliffs near 
the town. The path is shaded with good trees of Celtis australis^ 
Ficus pahnata. Ficus religiosa^ and Melia Azedarach. Mallotus 
phillippinemvi and Dalbergia Sissoo are common near the town, 
but do not extend far from it There are also a few specimens of 
Bombax malubaricum and Phopnix sylvestris on the wide flats near 
the river. Good rice is grown on the irrigated level lands here, 
and the fields of Indian corn appeared to be exceedingly productive. 
Ipomcea hederacea beautifies the hedges with its bright blue flowers, 
The remaining part of the march was steep and in parts the vege- 
tation very scanty. There are many small trees of Pinus longi« 
folia and shrubs of Berberis vulgaris and Plectranthus rugosus* 
Looking out from the forest-house at Musroond one obtains a defi- 
nite idea of the general scenery of this State. The view northw'ards 
is terminated by a line of snowy peaks. Towards the west is the 
deep valley of the Ravi bounded on the further bank by steep 
grass-clad mountains with broad terraces overlooking the river 
In this, as in other parts of the Himalayas, the slopes facing south- 
wards are steep and rocky, and bear trees only at widely scattered 
intervals, even the ravines being wanting in the dense thickets of 
shrubs and herbs which are so distinctive a feature in the side valleys 
and gullies of the northern ridges where, moreover, alone may be 
found extensive forests of conifers, oaks and other trees. Im- 
mediately under the lofty second range the radiating spurs are 
covered with forests in all directions. Ihis, perhaps, may be due to 
a more liberal rainfall. 
From Musroond the next march was to Kulcl. The steep descent 
to the river below w inds through an almost continuous stretch of 
cultivated land. The villages have to maintain a night-long clamour 
to warn off the black bears from the fields of ripening Indian corn 
which is the main crop at this season. The hillsides are usually 
so steep that the natives form their fields into broad terraces. This 
system must prevent the erosion of the shallow soil ; moreover the 
walls of the terraces, often of considerable height, being covered with 
grass, a plentiful supply of good fodder must bt furnished close to the 
homesteads of the people. Bees were seen issuing from many holes in 
the stone w^alls of the houses. I had no opportunity of tasting the 
honey, but it ought to be abundant and good in a country so well 
stocked with flowers. The road continues by a gradual ascent to Kulel 
