OF SOUTH-EAST SIKKIM. 
S27 
On the 12th we camped at Sherabthang under the Nathui La, and 
examined the fairly extmsive marshes there. One day was given to 
the ridges which lie between the Dzalep and the Nathui La. The most 
interesting find was another new Senecio (S. Lagotis)^ a handsome plant 
with large- entire leaves resembling those of a 
Survey of the Flora in early July. 
The following is a brief survey of what seemed to me the chief 
characteristics of the flora at this season (first half of July). From 
12,000 to 13,500 feet the vegetation seemed somewhat backward as com- 
pared with the more northerly parts of Sikkim but those species of 
Meconojpsis^ Rhoflodendron, Primtda, which occur in both areas, appeared 
to be in about the same stage of development. The more alpine species, 
13,000 — 14,500 feet, were decidedly later than the flora of the Lachen and 
Lachung valleys. They have to endure more constant rain and obtain 
much less sun. Pasturage was scanty and flocks few. I saw only one 
or two herds of cattle and scarcely any yaks. The valleys are open and 
the slopes of fairly easy ascent except for the Rhododendrons which, 
when wet, and. that is the rule in July, present as uncomfortable a 
barrier as can be met with in an alpine tract. The bottoms of the 
valleys are marshy and showed a fine growth of Calthay Trolliits and 
Primula. The number of species -was not great. Small glacial lakes 
appeared at intervals as the main passes were approached ; the prevailing 
vegetation fringed their borders but not even Callitriche and its allies 
invaded the chilly waters. Rhododendron camiJanulatum, was the chief 
constituent of the shrubby vegetation, with occasional tracts of Pirus 
and Salix. Berberis macrosepala was the most prominent of the smaller 
shrubs. The herbaceous vegetation was very luxuriant, above the 
general level of which towered the tall Meconopsis paniculata^ Gentiana. 
itylophora^ Swertia Hookeri and Senecio Kingianus. The Primulce were 
a special glory of the slopes and meadows. The most conspicuous was 
a white P, Stuartii with a somewhat oblique corolla, perhaps a distinct 
species. This was found in great profusion among the Rhododendrons, 
especially on the rising ground a mile above Changu and close to the 
road. Smaller and also presenting here a white or very pale yellow 
corolla was P. reticulata. Along with these two and ranging also some- 
what lower with a preference for a moister habitat was Primula sik- 
kimensis with yellow corolla and sweet scent. Primula obtusifooia 
occurs at the same elevation with a tendency to range higher than the 
other -species. I found it abundant at 14,500 feet, which is high for 
plants on this range. These four species were in full flower and in the 
greatest profusion rivalling any display of Cowslips in an Engb’sh 
