BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 203 
abound in Affghanistan, and I ought to find a somewhat similar 
Flora as I go westward, till I come down to a sub-tropical elevation. 
Herbaceous plants are now almost entirely withered up, except near 
streamlets, where I still recognise Veronica Beccabunga, Glaux(?) 
Gentians, Eleocharis, Taraxacum, &c., &e. Several species of 
Artemisia are common, but dried up, and the same Rose as grows 
in Kunawur, I have found all along below 13,000 feet. - A little 
Potentilla is the only plant which entirely sets at nought all re- 
striction with respect to elevation ; abundant here, it is equally so 
at 16—17,000 feet. 
“ With regard to Cryptogamia, my knowledge of whose tribes 
is more limited, I fear I shall hardly give you satisfaction, for 
though I have been at a good deal of pains to collect, yet an inex- 
perienced eye is apt to pass over much that is valuable. There is 
one alpine Fern, which grows in crevices of walls and rocks at 
11-16,000 feet. Mosses I find in plenty, but without fructification, 
in most places: I begin to think that they produce their capsules 
in early spring, when copiously moistened by the melting snow ; 
even aquatic species are quite without fruit. There are no tree 
Lichens, but plenty on stones, though not much variety. I have 
one or two Chara, five or six confervoid species, and what is 
curious, to me at least, a fucoid Alga, growing in what is, as far 
as taste goes, fresh water, and in which it floats without any appa- 
rent attachment. 
“ With regard to the future, I think I could not sketch out any 
better route, at this season, than that proposed for me, down the 
Indus as far as Silgit, and if I find it practicable, as far as Pesh- - 
awur, to complete the connexion of the present alpine or subalpine 
Flora with that.of the Indian plain. I shall not add much en 
route to my Herbarium, but shall, at all events, be able to note 
the gradual appearance of new trees and shrubs as I descend to 
lower elevations. As Pinus Gerardiana occurs in Affghanistan, I 
May, perhaps, meet with it on the Indus. I have already gathered 
a single specimen of an Acanthophyllum, Y think, a Cabool group, 
and may therefore expect Statice, &c., as I advance. Cashmere, 
now on my left, is a great temptation; but I should find snow on 
