MICHELIA CATRCARTII
This is a very common tree on the outer range of the Sikkim-Himalaya, from 5-6000 feet, beyond which elevation it rarely ascends. It is conspicuous in April from the abundance of blossoms mth which in some years the branches are covered, appearing as if snowed upon ; as is the case with its allies, however, the trees flower much more freely at some seasons than at others. The leaves are only partiaUy shed in winter, the new ones being put forth during or immediately after flowering, in April and May. It has hitherto been found nowhere but in Sikkim, and bears the name of Mr. Cathcart, around whose residence at Leebong, near Dorjiling, some fine trees of it stood ; these were about sixty feet high, and had straight trunks, and rather short branches. The wood is good, and used for household purposes by the Bengali carpenters, who give it the name of Champa, which is also commonly applied to several other species of Magnoliacea. The Michelia Catrcartii is well adapted for a large conservatory, being almost an evergreen, and always leafy; it is not, however, so showy nor hardy as the M. exceha, which is the common white-flowered species of Dorjiling, and is also found in Nipal and the Khasia mountains. M. exceha forms a tree as lofty as Magnolia Camplellii, bears white fragrant flowers, four to five inches in diameter, and is almost leafless in
winter; it would probably prove hardy in England. In the spring of 1849 it flowered so profusely when still akiost leafless, that Sinchul mountain appeared for many days as if a snow-shower had faUen across a belt of 1000 feet in height, just below the summit. The other six Indian species of MicJielia are chiefly tropical or subtropical trees.

From the book:
Illustrations of Himalayan plants chiefly selected from drawings made for the late J.F. Cathcart, Esq. of the Bengal Civil Service. The descriptions and analyses by J.D. Hooker ; the plates executed by W.H. Fitch.
Published by L.Reeve, London - 1855