BOTANICiA-L TCUR IN CHAMBA AND KANGRA. 
1 88 
perfection by Alpine flowers, while at a short distance and still more so 
on the adjacent slopes, the whole mass became resolved into a simple 
carpet of yellowish^green in which no other colour was apparent. 
One naturally anticipates that myriads of bright flowers borne above 
the level of the green herbage would give colour to scenery cn every 
hand ; but I have never found this to be really the case, and although 
so great a variety of coloration was every w’here .around me, I 
could not but perceive that the general effect was that of a remark- 
able monotony, which, how^ever, was redeemed in a measure by th 3 
grandeur of the culminating peaks of rocks and snow'. 
From Alwas I returned to Chamba. No fresh observations were 
made, but many plants, overlooked on the upward journey, w'ere 
gathered. I remained at Chamba for three days to complete 
arrangements for making a tour through the eastern part of the 
State as far as Barmaor, from whence 1 purposed crossing over the 
first range to reach the district of Kangra. The first march termU 
nated at a village named Rakh. This is the easiest walk in Chamba, 
as the road runs for twelve miles along the bank of the Ravi, and 
there are only slight ascents to be overcome. Large areas along the 
route were covered with Indian corn which was now ripe, and the 
villagers w'ere busily employing themselves in collecting the produce 
which they eKpose for some time to sun and air on the roofs of their 
houses. The mountains on the right bank of the river are steep and 
rocky, and the tree-like Euphorbia is common. This plant seems to 
affect situations where it can remain in almost undisputed pos- 
session, under conditions unfavourable for the well-being of 
ordinary trees. The slopes on the left bank, also steep, are 
covered with grasses and various kinds of shrubs ; h hind them rise 
pine-clad hilts. Soon after leaving Chamba tw'o plane trees were 
passed. They were not good specimens. This tree is planted in 
various villages and 1 saw one of noble proportions in the Kangra 
Valley. Further on there was a rocky corner where many figs were 
found. 1 observed ticus clavatay Ficus hispida and another which 
we were unable to reach. Wendlendia puberula was also collected 
here. Many tropical plants not seen during former marc.^s were 
common in this one, such as Buddleia asiatica^ Plumbago zeylanica^ 
Torenia cordifolia^ Trenia politoriUj Lantana, Xanthium iMruma^ 
rium^ Hibiscus puugefiSj Boehmeria platyphylla, Tephrd^ia put'- 
purea, Amarantus sptnosns, etc. The rest-house at Rakh stands 
in a small wood of Dalbergia Sissoo» 
I'he second march was to Chitrari. For some eight miles the 
road still runs comparatively level. The valley is exceedingly narrow 
