and is common at 9,500 feet. It
is clothed principally with the small bamboo noticed in similar places
above Sanah. Berberis spathulata commences. It is with this sward that
a new fir, with a larch-like look, which I call temporarily Abies
spinulosa, commences, and continues down to the nullah, becoming more
abundant as A. densa becomes less abundant, and finally usurping its
place entirely. Rhododendron microphyllum continues to 9,600 feet, at
which point Baptisoidea commences.

The vegetation hence to Bhoomlungtung consists entirely of Abies
spinulosa, intermixed with a species very like Abies pendula, this
appears at about 9,500 feet. The sward consists of small grasses, Juncus
niveus, Gnaphalium, Hypericum of Mollong, suffrutex incertus. Juncus
effusus at 9,000 feet, with Prinsepia utilis.

The marked indicators of great elevation are A. densa, Polygonum, Rheum!
Eriogona! Rhododendron microphyllum, ellipticum, and ellipticum foliis
basi cordatis, Epilobium, Triticoides, Holcoides, Umbellifera of Royle,
Saxifragae, Ribes, Juniperus.

The most marked peculiarity is the comparative absence of A. densa on the
east side of the mountain, and its excessive abundance on the west. This
valley may be justly called the valley of pines, for in no direction is
any forest to be seen but those composed of pines. The change indeed is
extraordinary, in other respects as indicated by the presence of a new
Rosa and Prinsepia utilis. Another peculiarity is the appearance for the
first time of A. spinulosa. The range of which is between 8 to 10,000
feet; this is a beautiful tree, and disposed in beautiful groups. The
valley altogether is a beautiful one, and actually repays one for the
trouble endured in getting access to it.

The temperature in crossing the ridge was below that on Dhonglaila, and
below the freezing point at times. No inconvenience was felt by us from
the elevation, but many of our servants suffered probably as much from
fright as cold.

_February 27th_.--Halted.

_February 28th_.--This valley is certainly the prettiest place we have
yet seen, the left bank is particularly level, but neither are of much
breadth, the hills adjacent present rounded grassy patches, interspersed
with beautiful groves of pines. The level space, as well as the more
favourable sites on the slopes of the hills, are occupied by wheat
cultivation, which is carried on in a more workman-like manner, than any
of the previous cult