4 SFRG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLOEA OF 



the many streams which form the tributaries of the Kuram from 

 the north. These plains gradually ascend until they are lost in 

 the low hills which form the bases of the Safed-Koh range. 

 These again rapidly rise to an average of 14,000 ft., the two 

 highest peaks occupying the extreme ends ; that on the east, 

 called Karaia, is 15,400 ft., and that on the west, called 

 Sikaram, is 15,600 ft. in height. From the southern shoulder of 

 the latter a spur runs to the south, reaching almost as far as 

 the Kuram river: this is the Pewarkotal range, forming the 

 western boundary of this area, which for the future will be 

 alluded to as the Kuram District. 



Basins of Karaia and Hazdrdarakht rivers. — The Pewarkotal 

 range on its eastern aspect presents a precipitous face to the 

 depth of nearly 1500 ft. The summit of the road leading across 

 this range is called the Pewarkotal, or pass of the Pewar, and is 

 8500 ft. in height. Another spur runs from Sikaram to the west, 

 ending in a peak called Matiinge, about 12,700 ft. in height. 

 The country enclosed within these two ranges constitutes the 

 basin of the Karaia river, and is known as the Hariab District. 

 At Alikhel, distant some 18 miles from the Pewarkotal, the 

 Karaia river joins the Hazardarakht at an elevation of 7000 ft. 

 The river formed by the union of these two streams subsequently 

 falls into the Kuram. The Hazardarakht river rises from the 

 western base of Mount Seratigah ; at first its course is north-east 

 for 15 miles, then to the south-east for the same distance, when 

 it joins the Karaia river, as already stated, at Alikhel. 



3. Vegetation of the road from Thai to Badishkhel. 



The general aspect of the country between Thai and Badishkhel 

 is not a promising one for the botanist. The low hills are bare 

 and treeless, covered with a small meagre jungle, which, however, 

 becomes thicker and of a greater height in the hollows of the 

 country and ravines, where it is protected from the climate and 

 where more moisture is present. Along the river-banks there 

 are a few trees with a large grass ; and here, in the vicinity of the 

 river or along irrigation channels, we come across some cultivated 

 trees. 



The following shrubs constitute the greater portion of the 

 jungle on the hills : — Acacia niodesta, Tecoma undulata, Sageretia 

 Brandrethiana, Gymnosporia spinosa, a form of Zizyphus vulgaris 

 resembling Z. nummularia, Ehretia aspera, Withania coagulans, 



