EXCURSION TO SHAH BILAWUL. 555 
shadows; the rippling brook (margined by large and picturesque 
Acacias,) forming little falls, and expanding below into deep pools ; 
the narrow footpath obstructed by large blocks of stone detached 
from the sides of the hills, now crossing the brook, now winding 
under the base of a tall rock, now ascending a little along its 
steep sides. Then, “the goodly company.” First and foremost 
my poodle-terrier, (fancying himself the guide, and most im- 
portant person of the lot,) as happy as dog can be, looking back 
whenever he has scrambled to the top of a big block of stone, 
and saying: “ Why don't you folks get on as actively as I do?" 
Then followed the camels, in Indian file: two with geological 
specimens, three with my personal baggage and tents, one with 
plants, drying boards, &c., and myself on the last. Two stone- 
collectors, two plant-collectors, five camel-men, all armed with big 
sticks, walk before and between, and by the side of the camels, 
encouraging them on the rough road by a guttural and prolonged 
grunt (like a cow lowing) : “ Ough—Ough—Ough—K übburdar, 
Ough—Ough—Ough—Kubburdér.” The camel-men addressing 
the camels every now and then as they slip or stumble: “Hey, buch- 
ho! béo wuddo putthrs! Hey, buchho! Ho child! another big 
stone! Ho child!” Last came my servant bearing a lanthern, (mark 
of his office,) and the guide, a fine handsome Beloochee with match- 
lock, belt, powder-horn, ball-bag, flint-case and sword.—NB. 
His tinder was the scurf off the leaves of the Chamerops Ritchi- 
ana dipped in saltpetre.— With these, trots a long-fleeced, long- - 
horned Scinde goat, bleating incessantly, to avoid whom (if the 
truth must be told), the dog always keeps a-head, as my lady 
makes a point of rushing at him and rolling him over, wagging - 
her tail rapidly as she does it and thinking it great fun. A great 
pest, by the way, was this same impudent goat, who used to watch 
when I was examining plants and slily eat the specimens out of 
my hand, besides hunting out the half-dried plants, devouring 
them and munching the paper. 
I think, if I get to Shah Bilawul in autumn, which is most 
likely—nay, I may get there twice before the end of the year,—I 
might draw up a paper for your Journal of Botany, describing 
VOL. VII. SU 
