Panicum plicatoides, Smithea, Hypericum of the plains, and Potentilla, Sida, and Plantago all plain plants, are found at the summit.  To the S.W. of our camp are the remains of a stockade, which was destroyed by fire, it is said, last year.  The only interesting plants gathered were a Cyrtandracea, AEschynanthus confertus mihi, a Dendrobium, and a fine Hedychium, beautifully scented, occurring as an epiphyte.  Of Ficus several species are common.  On the large mountain to the N.E., either birch or larches are visible, their elevation being probably 1000 feet above that of our camp.

The party halted until the 3rd March; I had one day’s capital fishing in the Kamtee-chick with a running line.

March 2nd.—­A Havildar arrived, bearing a letter from Dr. Bayfield, {64} stating that he would be with the Major in two or three days.

March 3rd.—­Capt.  Hannay and I started in advance; we crossed a low hill, then a torrent, after which we commenced a very steep ascent.  This ascent, with one or two exceptions, continued the whole way to the top of the Patkaye range, which must be 1500 feet above our halting place.  The features continued the same.  The Patkaye are covered with dry tree jungle on the northern side.  The place, whence the descent begins, is not well defined:  at first winding through damp tree jungle.  After a march of four hours we descended to a small stream, the Ramyoom, which forms the British boundary; this we followed for some distance through the wettest, rankest jungle I ever saw:  thence we ascended a low hill, and the remainder of our march was for the most part a continued descent through dry open tree jungle, until we again descended into the damp zone.  We reached water as night was setting in, and bivouacked in the bed of the stream.

The former vegetation continued until we reached the dry forest covering the upper parts of the Patkaye, and here the forms indicating elevation increased.  Polygonatum, Ceratostemma, Bryum Sollyanum, and a Ternstroemiacea occurred, Epiphytical orchideae are common, but were almost all out of flower.  Owing to the thickness of the jungle, and the height of the trees, we could not ascertain what the trees were; but from the absence of fruit, etc. on the ground, I am inclined to think that they are not Cupuliferae. Betee bans, (of the natives) a kind of bamboo, perhaps the same as the genus Schizostachyum, N. ab.  E. is common all over the summit, and descends to a considerable distance, especially on the southern side.  On this side the prevalence of interesting forms was much more evident.  Along the Kamyoom I gathered an Acer, an Arbutus, a Daphne.  Polypodium arboreum ferrugineum was likewise here very common.  Succulent Urticeae, Acanthaceae swarmed:  a huge Calamus was likewise conspicuous.  On this side there is plenty of the bamboo called Deo bans, articulis spinarum verticillis armatis, habitu B. bacciferae.