THE KUBAM YALLET, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 21 



munis, recurva, and Rhododendron Collettianum, form the brush- 

 wood beyond the limit of forest. Amongst this brushwood occur 

 several species of Acantholimon, Astragalus psilacanthus, Onobry- 

 chis spinosissima, several Artemisias, numerous Cousinias, Tana- 

 cetum no. 280, Linum perenne, both Macrotomias, Leontopodium, 

 'two or three species oiAnaphalis, and Poa bulbosa, P. laxa, Bromus 

 near erectus, growing through the juniper-bushes, Lilium poly- 

 phyllum, and under their protection Oentiana no. 932. Amongst 

 the stones Sempervirum acuminatum is very profuse. On gravelly 

 soil on the exposed ridges Allium, no. 734, occurs ; in loose rubble 

 Scropliularia, no. 919, a dwarf species, the branches of which lie 

 close to the ground, with flowers large in proportion to the plant. 



At the upper limit of trees, in ascending the ridge above the 

 Shendtoi to the east of Sikaram, willows are seen to form the 

 greater part of the brushwood. On Sikaram and on the range to 

 its west, owing no doubt to the excessive dryness of the climate, 

 willows do not exist, the Rhododendron alone being found, with 

 the new bush types of Onobrychis and Astragalus. 



At spring heads on moss-covered stones, at an altitude of 11,000 

 feet in occasional localities, the following plants occur: — Codonopsis 

 ovata, a Campanula, Inula rhizocephaloides, Parnassia ovata, 

 Orchis latifolia, Primula purpurea and P. denticulata, Ophelia 

 cordata and O. petiolata, with Sedum Ewersii on the overhanging 

 rocks. Among the boulders in the stream-bed Oxyria reniformis 

 is by no means uncommon. 



From 12,000 to 14,000 feet the following plants occur, but 

 only in patches, otherwise the hill-side appears destitute of vege- 

 tation : — Delphinium Brunonianum, when in full flower very effec- 

 tive ; Mheum Moorcroftianum, but no P. Pibes ; Bupleurum sp., 

 no. 929, and Astragalus, no. 924 (near A. confertus), both very 

 close-growing and carpeting the ground. In the clefts and on 

 the sides of rocks, Pleurospermum corydalifolium, Valeriana petro- 

 phila, Isopyrum grandiflorum, Ligusticum no. 821. Amongst 

 broken debris, Nepeta no. 917, Lamium rhomboideum and Aster 

 heterochatta, with lovely purple flowers, and the following 

 grasses : — Poa flexuosa, Piptatherium laterale, Festuca ovina, 

 and Koeleria cristata. 



At 14,000 feet, Oxygraphis, a new species, the leaves and flowers 

 of which seem to be a favourite food with the snow-pheasant, as 

 it was almost impossible to get perfect specimens on account of 

 its being invariably eaten over. In the shelter of the boulders 



