PREFACE 
It has been my endeavour to produce a book which shall supply 
to residents at Simla, interested in botany and acquainted with 
the rudiments of that science, the means of identifying the trees, 
shrubs and herbs they see in their walks about the station roads 
and paths, in the neighbouring valleys or on excursions to 
Mushobra, Mahasu, Shali Peak, Fagoo, Narkunda, Huttoo, Baghi 
Forest and the Sutlej valley down to the hot springs near Suni. 
I have assigned no strictly defined limits to the * Flora,’ believing 
that this would answer the requirements of students better than if 
I were to confine it, for instance, to the territorial limits of the 
Simla Municipality or any other arbitrarily fixed boundaries. It 
is based on my own collection, made under ordinary conditions 
during a residence at Simla of about four years ; and, judging from 
my own experience, a book is much needed containing descriptions 
of the plants found in the district roughly defined above. The 
area thus covered is extensive, ranging from about 2,000 to 10,000 
feet of altitude, and including portions both of the outer arid 
regions and of the inner subalpine summits of the N.W. 
Himalaya. The number of species described is therefore pro- 
portionately large, and amounts to more than 1,300. 
A short summary of the characters and distribution is given 
under each Natural Order followed by a key to the Genera. In a 
similar manner a short summary of generic characters and dis- 
tribution is followed by a key to the Species. A short description 
