8 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF 



yellow flowers of Scorzonera mollis are to be seen, apparently for 

 its maintenance collecting a supply of moisture in its bulbous 

 roots. 



In the more sheltered parts and hollows are to be found some 

 occasional patches of Ebenus stellata, Buddleia crispa, with a 

 stunted unrecognizable Berleris, and our steady friends the SopJwra, 

 Daphne, Cotoneaster, and Perowskia. In the deep cuttings of 

 the winter torrents, on their shady side, Isatis tinctoria, with its 

 large cabbage-like leaves, appears conspicuous : it is well known, 

 being employed in dyeing by the natives ; indeed this fact guided 

 me in recognizing the plant. Besides these Salvia glutinosa and 

 S. rhytidea occur (both handsome in their way, and usually in 

 the very centre of the dry watercourse), Verbascum Thapsus and 

 V. eriantha are common, the latter more prominent from its branch- 

 ing inflorescence. 



To certain localities on these plains water is conducted from 

 long distances and run into tanks, where it is collected for the use 

 of the cattle and sheep which graze in their vicinity. Attempts 

 have been made to obtain water by digging wells, but, owing to 

 the great depth of the gravel-deposit, these efforts have always 

 ended in failure. 



6. Vegetation of the FlanTcs of the Safed Roh. 

 Along the base of the Safed- Koh range numerous valleys are 

 seen debouching upon these plains. At these openings, and where 

 the water from the outcoming streams can be utilized for culti- 

 vation, the largest villages of the Kuram district occur. The 

 most important of these is Shalizan, situated about ten miles 

 north-west of Kuram at an altitude of 6300 feet. It is composed 

 of several small villages occupying either side of the Durban 

 stream, the size of each village depending upon the amount of 

 water available for cultivation. Until one has actually seen the 

 arboreous and field cultivation that exists here, it is impossible to 

 credit it, reminding one more of some of the best parts of Kash- 

 mir than what one would expect so near to the sterile plains just 

 alluded to. 



This extreme fertility is no doubt due to the richness of the 

 sod, abundance of water, the favoured position (sheltered, as it is, 

 from the predominating bleak winds by the closely encircling 

 hills), and to the resulting mildness of its climate. 



The characteristic trees found here are :— the Oriental plane, 



