THE ALPINE AND SUB-ALPINE VEGETATION 
834 * 
Bannnndtis, Anemone, and in a less degree, Juncun, Corydalu, Uheiim, 
Codonop^^is, Parnassia, Ariseema. 
The dominant species are '.—-Abies Wehhiana, Clematis montana, 
Chrysa7itlienmm Atkinsoni, Se7iecio Kingianus, Senecio Mortoni, Swertia 
Hookeri, Geniiana stylophora, Rhododendron campamilatum, Primula 
sih'JHmensis, P. reticulata, P. obtusi folia, P. Stuartii, Trollius pumiius, 
Meconopsis pa7iiculata, Iris Clarhei, Cardamine macrophylla, Lloydia 
serotina. 
The following are absent, or at least not recorded from the S. E. 
area : — Ane77ione vitifolia, Adonis, Callianthemurn, Isopyrum, Hypecpim, 
Arabis, Tamarix, Coriaria, Oxytropis, Thermopsis; Piptanlhus, Beutzia, 
PhiladelphiS) Scabiosa, Leptocodon, Pyrola, Ephedra, Picea, Tsuga, 
Larix ; Braba, the tufted Arenariee, Astragalus, Saussurea, Lactuca, 
Crepis, are scantily represented. 
Protected Flowers. 
The character of the climate suggests the need of protection to the 
flower-organs. There was a profusion of bell-shaped and drooping flowers. 
In addition to the numerous species of Rhododendron, Rosa sericea 
showed inverted flowers ; while the flowers of S7vertia Hookeri, Genii- 
ana stylophora, Primula^^s., Meco7iopsis sps., Gera7iinm sps., Codonopsis 
sps., Cyananthus, Fritillaria sps., Lloydia, the nodding Cremanthodia, 
Senecio sps., Cassiope, Enkianthais, Geum elatum, Pedicularis sps., Aeon- 
Hum, Corydalis, Lagotis, were all fairly secure by structure or position 
against the downpour. 
Isolated Species. 
The flora of Sikkim is remarkable for the isolation of many of the 
species. The physical features of the country, the deep valleys and the 
sterile mountain ridges are the chief causes of this. Hooker has pointed 
out in his Himalayan Journals the isolation of even distinct floras such" 
as the temperate flora of the Lachen-Lachung area. The broad belt of 
Rhododendrons no doubt plays its part in keeping the areas distinct. 
In all probability many of these unique species will be found to occur 
in the adjoining parts of Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal, when these come to be 
known botanically. Rodgersia pinnata occurs in one spot only in the 
North Chakung Chu valley ; it has been found in the Chumbi Valley, 
and then there is a gap until we reach Western China. As examples 
of such isolations in the Chola area we may mention Galathodes, Meco- 
nopsis hella, Cathcartia lyrata, Geranium refractum, Senecio Kingianus, 
Senecio Chola, Saussurea Laneana, Primula Eltoesiana, Primula Wattii 
Swertia Burkilliana. 
