THE KTTBAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 5 



Periploca aphylla,Adhatoda Vasica, several Gremce, and Chamcerops 

 Hitchieana. 



In the somewhat sheltered localities and ravines Peptonia 

 buxifolia occurs as a small dense tree with very dark green 

 foliage. This completely replaces Olea cuspidata, Wall., which 

 here, except in sacred groves, is not to be found. Pistacia in- 

 tigerrima also occurs, and occasionally P. cabulica, a tree quite new 

 to me, with some bushes of Dodoncea. 



On the banks of the river are to be found a Tamarix, Dalbergia 

 Sissoo, Cerium odorum, a Saccharum, Zizyphus Jujuba, and Z. oxy- 

 phylla, with the following cultivated trees : — Morus alba, Salix 

 acmophylla, another Salix (near babylonica), and Melia Azederach. 

 Frequently occurring as scandents, amongst the above, are seen 

 Cocculus Leesba, Asparagus sp., and Ephedra sp. 



The village of Thai, at an altitude of 2500 ft., is situated in a 

 hollow surrounded by low hills. Thus sheltered from the cold 

 winds of winter, its climate approximates that of the Punjab, to 

 which also its flora assimilates — as, in addition to the plants 

 already mentioned, Salvadora oleoides occurs as a tree, and at 

 one locality Picinus communis is common. Capparis aphylla, a 

 typical Punjab form, however, does not exist. 



As one ascends the river, Punjab hot-country types, such as 

 Dalbergia and Calotropis, accompany one as far as Ahmad-i- 

 Shama, and are then lost ; and here a more northern flora is first 

 observed, in cultivated trees of Platanus, walnut, Celtis, and the 

 vine as an enormous climber. The changes in the hill-jungle 

 take place much more gradually ; Acacia modesta is the first to 

 be left behind, its place becoming occupied by a small bush 

 (Caragana), with patches of JEbenus stellata. 



On reaching the more open valley surrounding the village of 

 Hazar Pir, Chameerops Pitchieana is seen for the first time in its 

 full growth, not merely as a handful of leaves attached to a large 

 creeping root, which represents its form on Mt. Tilla and the 

 Salt Range, but developed into a bush of from five to seven feet 

 in height, close masses of which extend for miles across the open 

 plateaux. Frequently, too, it may be seen occurring as a 

 branching tree of from 1 5 to 25 ft. in height, but then usually 

 when in the vicinity of other trees or buildings. 



Here, also, in the rich alluvial soil of the fields, are great clumps 

 of old myrtle, which, from its peculiarly local growth, though 

 occurring in numerous patches, is suggestive of cultivation. 



