ASIA 
In the southern foothills of the majestic Himalayas, 
on the border of Tibet, nestle the forests of the 
Maharajah of Sikkim. This region harbors one of the 
richest concentrations of ferns, orchids and alpine 
plants in the world. Here, Mount Kanchenjunga, 
28,146 feet high, second only to Mount Everest. 
A number of native collectors have established little 
nurseries in the midst of the rich vegetation of Sik- 
kim and Assam. Cymbidium and Cypripedium are 
collected and potted in broken brick and seem to 
like it. Collected Vandas, such as the Vanda Co- 
erulea pictured, are tied to a stick and hung onto 
trees. Their roots are not covered or they would rot. 
Collected Cymbidiums are taken home to the Sik- 
kim nursery by a native Lepcha. From an airport 
near Siliguri, planes leave for Calcutta daily, and 
Himalayan and Assam orchids are now shipped safe- 
ly everywhere. 
Chamba Lama, a charming Tibetan girl, wearing her 
silver charm box, studded with turquoise as worn by 
all Tibetan women. Inside the box is either a leaf of 
Ficus Religiosa, or a Lamaist prayer sheet. Tibetan 
women may have more than one husband. 
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