It may be said that the really fine forests are restricted above, within 8,000 feet.
The Smithia pine is a really fine tree, often 100 feet high, and three to five feet in diameter, known by its downward curved branches, pendulous branchlets, and pendulous oblong cones: many dead trees from the effects of barking were observed. It is worthy of remark, that potatoes are now cultivated in these woods.
The Deodar is not so large as Smithia, and is known by its tabular branches and ovoid erect cones.
Andropogoneous grasses occur high up; even at the summit Acanthaceæ occur, scarcely any change in the terrestrial ferns, among which Adiantum is found in profusion along the road, little change in Mosses, a Polytrichum occurs at the higher elevations, also a Dicranum on dead trunks of trees.
The only new arboreous vegetation consists in an Acer, which is a small tree, also a small Poplar and Quercus semecarpifolius, this varies greatly, Pinus Smithiana, Limonia laureola, a shrubby Rhododendron.
Fagoo is only 5,600 feet above the adjacent heights.
On the edge of the forest, the following genera, etc. were noticed—Spiræa bella and S. aruncus,* Berberis asiatica, Swertia, grasses common, Gnaphalium, Senecio., Epilobium, Pteris chysocarpa, P. aquilina, Adiantum, Aspidium, Rumex, the Labiata fruticosa of Jacka, Potentilla sanguinea, Artemisia, Coronilloid, Androsacea, Gnaphalioid, Epipactis, Carex, Cnicus, Viola, Valerianum, Jasminum,* Viburnum,* V. aliud, Populus,* Silene, Mespilus microphyllus, Verbascum, Thapsia, Ilex, Euonymus, Loniceroid, Acer,* Eriogonoid,* Geranium scandens.*
Bupleuroid, Polytrichum, Rosa, Rubus, Salex fruticosa,* Fragaria, Cratægus,* Saxifraga crassifolia, Viscum, Rubia cordifolia.
* Means altitudinal.
Viscum has one attachment, but from this many branches spring after the form of the primary one. Muhassoo is of great extent, because an arm of the mountain extends to the south, and there assumes a considerable height, equal to that of Muhassoo itself, and equally well wooded. It is of all other situations about Simla the proper place for collecting. The succession of the pines in these regions is as follows:—
P. longifolia, dry barren spots, from 5,000 to 7,500 feet, as Rhododendrum arboreum.
P. excelsa, from 7,500 to 8,500 feet, no groups occur.
P. Deodars, from 7,500 to 9,000 feet, especially on southern faces.
P. Smithiana, from 9,000 to 10,000 feet, and is in the highest perfection on north faces.
One thing remarkable is the wide ranges of the above forms, for excepting those marked with an asterisk, all are found about Simla.
The most common herbaceous family on Muhassoo is Compositæ, and very strange to say, most of its forms, as indeed the others, excepting some of the trees, are found on the Khasyah Mountains at much lower elevations, and much lower latitudes. Of birds the Cone-eater of Bootan occurs.
7th.—To Annandale, a pretty level spot, some 2,000 feet below Simla, remarkable for its beautiful grove of Deodars.
Of the wild grasses they are almost all exclusively tropical forms, Paniceous or Andropogoneous. The chief cultivation of the hills, Atriplex sanguinea, bhatoo vena, some fine walnut trees, mulberries, also Celtoidea? Kirrack ven, Zanthoxylon.
Passed a herd of red-rumped monkeys; the crooked-tailed Lungoor is also found here.
Rich vegetation extends down the southern slope, where there is a waterfall. It is curious that both here and in Annandale the Deodar grows to a large size, although naturally its range does not extend so low as this slope. Passed a beautiful temple, surrounded with fine Deodars.
Ferns occur in more abundance, thence downwards Woodwardia, Dicksonia? Cyatheoides, and Adiantum. Mosses also occur on the dripping rocks.
An Alnus also occurs.
No fish were visible in the streamlet. Peristrophe occurs throughout from Roopur to Simla.
Epiphytous or at least Epirupous Scitaminia. Hedychium is found on rocks on this slope, which would give an elevation of about 5,500 feet.
On the sunny sides of hills about Simla, Dicerma is found, this is one of the most tropical forms.
No Epiphytous Orchidea are seen. And of birds Enicurus, the redstart of torrents, and Myophonus were observed.
Heights and Latitudes of the Stations visited in Affghanistan. {517}
“The subjoined Table contains the latitudes and the altitudes of the principal stations passed through by the late Dr. Griffith during the Cabul campaign in 1838-40, from his original observations. The altitudes for the latitudes were taken with the sextant and the artificial horizon, and the results throughout are so nearly coincident, that it may be relied on the latitudes herein given are correct to within half a minute in space.
Formula for Latitude/Elevation
Latitudes, and Elevations above the Sea, of the various localities visited in Affghanistan.
{0a} Major Thomson, C. B., Engineers, from whom as well as all the officers of the same corps, Mr. Griffith experienced much kindness in Affghanistan.
{0b} Racoma nobilis, Calcutta Journ. Nat. Hist. Vol. ii, p.577. t. xv fig. 4. Subfam. SCHIZOTHORACINÆ.
{0c} Calcutta Journal Natural History, Vol. II. p577, t, xv. f. 4.
{7} It is also on a northern declivity.
{9} On a hill near the Bungalow are the tombs of Lieuts. Burlton and Beddinfield, two distinguished officers murdered by the natives in 1829.
{12} Although in former times it must have been of some note, the vicinity is strewed with sculptured stones and columns, of which the modern buildings are constructed. These remains present the form and proportions of European Architecture, and exhibit considerable taste.
{24} The rank of the chiefs of various nations on the frontiers of Assam depends on the number of skulls of vanquished enemies, which decorate their houses. The Mishmee trophies, as appears from the author’s account in the Journ. As. Soc. May 1837, consist of the skulls of cattle only.
{25} Trigonocephalus mucrosquamatus, afterwards described in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, Vid. Cal. Journ. Nat. Hist. vol. 1, p.77.
{29a} Subsequently described from this specimen in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, March 12, 1839. Cal. Journ. Nat. Hist. vol 1, p.82.
{29b} Gonorhynchus bimacalutus, G. brachypterus, Perilompus æquipinnatus, and Cobitis phoxocheila, which have been all since described from these specimens in the 19th vol. As. Res. Beng.
{31} Afterwards crossed by the author in his journey into Burma.
{33} For a narrative of Lieut. Wilcox’s visit to the Mishmee mountains, see As. Res. vol. xvii. p.314.
{35} Mithun is, according to the author, a peculiar species of Ox.
{40} Subsequently described by the author in an important communication to the Linnæan Society.
{42} One of the most influential of the Singpho chiefs, whose influence at this period kept Upper Assam unsettled.
{51} A Burmese authority.
{53} Probably Major R. Bruce of the Rajah’s service, one of the Superintendents of Tea Cultivation.
{54} For the whole of this able communication, detailing the object and results of his visit to the Mishmee mountains, See Journ. As. Soc. Beng. May 1837.
{60} See Reports of the Coal Committee, 1841, p.3.
{61a} See Description by the Author, As. Res. Bengal, Vol. xix.
{61b} Since described from these specimens as Calamaria monticola, and Dipsas monticola. Vide Proc. Zool. Soc. March 12th 1839, and Cal. Journ. Nat. Hist. Vol. i. pp.80-85.
{61c} As. Res. Vol. xix. p.336.
{64} Dr. Bayfield was deputed by the Resident at Ava to meet the party from Assam on the Burmese Frontier.
{66} This is one of the Mountain Barbels, Oreinus, probably O. guttatus, As. Res. vol. xix. p.273.
{68} A Barbel, and an Oreinus, or Mountain Barbel.
{74a} Opsarius gracilus, As. Res. vol. xix. p.419.
{74b} A species of Barbel; probably B. deliciosus, As. Res. xix. p.352.
{75} Since described as Cyprinus semiplotus, As. Res. vol. xix. p.346.
{78} This would seem to be Coal formation, in which amber is frequently found. It occurs, for instance, in the spurious coal of Kurribori, E. of Rungpore.
{111} The reading of this passage is obscure, the MS. being very faintly written in pencil.
{113} Introd. Nat. Syst. p.44.
{114} The preceding eight pages within brackets are written faintly in pencil.
{115a} The usual route is to Kujoo Ghat, about five miles below Moodoa Mookh, thence through Sooroo, Kujoo, etc. to the Booree Dihing.
{115b} By the Karam and this other branch, on which old Beesa was situated, all the water which formerly supplied the Noa Dihing now passes into the Booree Dihing.
{116} Most of the Singphos subject to our control are located between Kujoo Ghat and the Booree Dihing, as well as on the banks of this river and in the valley of the Tenga Panee.
{117} The existence of Petroleum is of value as connected with the solution of Caoutchouc.
{118} The affix Nam, signifies in the Shan language a river or stream.
{119a} The word Kha is Singfo, and signifies a river.
{119b} Here Capt. Hannay and myself were met by Mr. Bayfield.
{119c} Khioung, or Kioung, signifies a small river in the Burmese language.
{119d} Bhoom is the Singfo word for mountain.
{124a} Which we forded a few miles below Isilone; depth of the ford from two to four feet.
{124b} In this direction the valley is nearly 65 miles in length.
{125} This river rises in a conspicuous range, well known by the name of Shewe Down-gyee, or great golden mountain.
{126} This is certainly not the Ulukhor of Buch. Hamilton’s statistics of Dinajpoor.
{128} Probably from a species of Sterculia.
{129} The Toung-bein of the Burmese.
{130} Many of these hills are inhabited by Kukkeens, who do a great deal of mischief, and whose annual depredations remain unchecked and unpunished.
{132} Serpentine is occasionally found in the bed of the Nam-marsan.
{139} Especially on the right bank.
{145} It must be observed that Kamein is several miles out of the route from the Mogoung river to Mogoung itself, we visited it en route to the Serpentine mines.
{147} This is the site of the fossil bones discovered by Mr. Crawfurd.
{149} These brackets are shown in the text turned through 90°. - L. B.
{168} The Kullung rock is a most striking object from its artificial dome-like appearance. It is composed of granite resting on an elevated plateau of soft friable gneiss. This last in mouldering away, leaves numerous rounded boulder-like masses of granite on the surface, which from their hardness, resist the action of the atmosphere amidst the surrounding decay of the softer rock.
{172} For original notice of the discovery of this raised beach, see Journal of the Asiatic Society, September 1835, p.523; and an account of the difference of level in Indian coal fields, vol. vii, 1838, p.65 of the same work; also description of Cyrtoma a new genus of Fossil Echinida, Calcutta Journal of Nat. Hist. vol. i, p.155.
{183} Simia Hylobates agilis.
{186} Raised on posts.
{193} See Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol,—Feb. 1838.
{205a} Eastern Thibet.
{205b} For this and similar figures, see {212}
{205c} Barbus hexagonolepis, Asiatic Res. xix.—Pl. f. 3, pp.170, 313, 336.
{205d} Cyprinus Semiplotus As. Res. xix.—Pl. 37. f. 2, pp.274, 346.
{206a} Opsarius gracilus, As. Res. vol. xix.
{212} Such figures may be thus read. Temp. of the air 60° Fah., that of boiling water 204½°.
{217a} Relative heights.
{217b} These figures refer to Woollaston’s thermetrical barometer.
{221} Centropus nigrorufus.
{227} Oreinus progastus, As. Res. vol. xix. pl. 40, fig. 4.
{349} Referred to by the Author as an Anthemidioid, and on one occasion as Santonica achilleoidea.
{383} Schizothorax Edeniana, Cal. Journ. Nat. Hist. Vol. II. p.579.
{390a} Schizothoracinæ.
{390b} Cobitis marmorata, see Calcutta Journal of Nat. Hist. Vol. II, p.560, where the Fishes collected by Mr. Griffith in these parts are described.
{404} Salmo orientalis, Calcutta, Journ. Nat. Hist. Vol. III. p.283.
Throughout Southern Asia, including the Punjab, and both plains and peninsula of India properly so called, no species exists of the trout family or Salmonidæ. Their discovery in the streams descending from the northern declivity of the Hindoo-koosh distinguishes that chain as the southern boundary or limit of the family. It is also remarkable that the Hindoo-koosh should likewise be the exclusive province of a numerous group of small scaled Cyprinidæ, met with only in the rivers of Affghanistan, consisting of the genera, Schizothorax, Racoma, and Oreinus, of which one or two species only have been found to extend south along the plateau of the Himalaya, as far as 27° N., while the bulk of the family is confined to 34° N. See Calcutta Journ. Nat. Hist. Vol. II. p.560 t. xv.
{417} This alludes to a sketch of the valley.
{418} Melia.
{435} For the particulars of this attack in which Mr. Griffith nearly lost his life, the reader is referred to extracts from private correspondence.
{450} These sketches, together with the author’s further views on the subject, will be more appropriately incorporated in the second part of his Posthumous Papers, entitled ‘Icones Plantarum Asiaticarum,’ and ‘Notulæ ad plantas Asiaticas.’
{479} Nearly allied to Cobitis chlorosoma, As. Res. Vol. xix, pl. 52, f. 3.
{481} This is an undescribed species if not an undescribed genus, and was by some mischance lost from the collections; it may properly, when described, receive the name of the author, who was the first to notice so remarkable a form.
{484} It is chiefly important as a generic, not as a specific character, see November 1st.
{517} The Editor is indebted to the kindness of Mr. Curnin, not only for the note with which this table of heights and latitudes is introduced, but also for the construction of the table itself from the results of 437 observations for latitudes alone, and an equal number almost for altitudes.