PLATE XXI. 
LARIX GRIFFITHII, wy ec 7 
Nat. Ord. Contreras. 
Arbor 20-60-pedalis, trunco gracili 1-2 ped. diametro, coma conica, ramis arcuatis apicibus pendulis, ramulis longissimis 
dependentibus, foliis linearibus, conis masculis oblongo-cylindraceis, antheris subquadrato-orbiculatis unguiculatis 
connectivo apice eroso-dentato, ungue dilatato, conis foemineis erectis cylindraceis obtusis, bracteis subulatis clon- 
gatis reflexis deorsum imbricatis squamis orbiculatis concavis triplo longioribus, conis maturis 4—5-pollicaribus 
cylindraceis obtusis, bracteis persistentibus subsquarrosis, seminibus oblongis ala oblonga multoties brevioribus. 
Has. In sylvis temperatis Himalaye orientalis interioris, alt. 8-12,000 ped. : Nipalia orientali, Sikkim et Bhotan. FV. 
Maio ; fr. Oct. 
This very distinct and graceful Larch bears the name of its discoverer, Mr. W. Griffith, one of the most 
active and promising of the many naturalists who have devoted their energies and sacrificed their lives to 
the pursuit of botany in India. It was Mr. Griffith’s wish that his name should be recorded by one of the 
Himalayan Conifere, but the species to which he hoped it would have been attached (P. excelsa) had been 
known and named long before he found it. That indefatigable botanist discovered the present species in 
Western Bhotan, towards the confines of Sikkim; I gathered it abundantly in the interior valleys of 
Sikkim and Eastern Nipal, and was assured by the natives of the latter country that it prevails as far west 
as the sources of the Dud Kosi river. It is a remarkable fact that neither this species nor the Abies 
Brunoniana are found on the outer or even central ranges of Sikkim, but only in the interior, though both 
affect a much lower level than Abces Webbiana, which abounds on the outer and central ranges, wherever 
these attam 10,000 to 11,000 feet elevation. : 
Larix Griffith grows to a height of sixty feet in deep valleys, but it prefers the dry, rocky, ancient 
moraines formed by glaciers that have centuries ago retired to higher levels in the mountains; and it also 
grows on grassy slopes, where the drainage is good. It is remarkable for its very slender habit, sparse 
foliage, and very long, lithe, cord-like, pendulous branchlets, that are set in motion by the slightest 
breeze, and in a heavy gale are so completely blown to one side that the tree appears lop-sided. . The erect 
cones are much larger than those of any hitherto described Larch, and further differ from any others in their 
numerous scales, and in their long, reflexed, persistent bracts, which are placed at the back of every scale in 
this species, but which in the others are only seen on the lowest scales of all. 
The wood of this tree is soft, white, and very indifferent; it is called Sah, or Saar, by the Lepchas, 
and also by the Tibetans and Bhoteas. Seeds which I sent to Kew germinated readily, and the young 
plants are now three to four feet high. Some have withstood the late severe winter (1854-5) with no 
