AND LLONAKB VALLEYS OF StKKlM. 
163 
General Survey. 
in the following brief review of the chief natural orders and 
genera, we are not taking into account the vegetation below 11,000 
feet. The region below that height was hurriedly passed through 
and only a tithe of its flora appears in the list. On the other hand 
we. believe that the record of the alpine flora to which we devoted 
most of our energies, is fairly complete for the area in question. 
Rununculacecs are only moderately represented. Form of 
Anemone deinissa and the smaller alpine Ranunculi especially 
Ranunculus j)ulcliellus are very common. Aconites are almost en- 
tirely absent from the grazing grounds of the Llonakh. Del'phi^ 
nium cceruleum is widespread but not abundant. Among the* few 
shrubby plants of the higher regions are the smaller species of 
Berheris which persist far into the upper Llonakh valleys where 
they are much dwarfed and generally prostrate. Meconopsis is 
well represented in quantity by the three common species — the 
yellow M. nepalensis ranging the lowest, the blue M. simplicifolia 
next, while M. horridula occupies the rough stony screes in most 
inclement situations. The genus Corydalis is very prevalent and 
rich in species. The Cruciferce are represented chiefly by Drahce 
while CardaTTiine macrophylla is luxuriant in the moister valleys. 
Other genera are very sparingly present. Lychnis y Stellariay and 
Arenaria are strongly represented in species and in numbers, the 
many forms of Stellana decumhens being specially prevalent while 
the tufted Arenarias form one of the most characteristic features 
of the Llonakh. 
Impatiens so prominent a genus in Sikkim persists only in the 
lower wooded portion of the Zemu while Geranium collinum reaches 
the upper Llonakh. Leguminosce are only moderately frequent in 
the upper regions and are chiefly species of Astragalus and Oxytro- 
pis, Potentillas form one of the conspicuous features of the 
vegetation with many species and these very variable. P. fruticosUy 
P. microphyllay F, peduncularis P. ambiguay P.. eriocarpa are the 
most prominent. With the exception of prostrate Spirceas and 
Cotoneasters other genera are almost absent except in the wooded 
lower valleys. 
Saxifraga is another dominant genus. Almost all the Himala- 
yan species of saxifrage are to be found in this fairly restricted 
arear. Though never in profusion, they deck both the screes and 
the flats by the river, as well as the bleak crests of the passes. 
