THE AFGHAN DELIMITATION COMMISSION. 17 
expanse of its root-leaves, and the similarity which they present to the same leaves 
of the Asafcetida, so great, that experts alone could possibly distinguish them. The 
stems of all these large Umbelliferee vary from four to five feet in height, and 
probably that of the Asafcetida is the tallest, and is remarkable for its bamboo-like 
appearance and its ending in a cluster of flowering peduncles ; and that of the Ammo- 
niacum for its enlarged nodes at the base of each stem-leaf. Тһе stem of the Galbanum 
has no enlarged nodes, and its flowering peduncles originate irregularly along the stem, 
and are not clustered at the top of the stem. These Umbelliferze extend both into the 
‘Badghis and Khorasan. In the Badghis the greater moisture of the climate, I think, 
enables the Galbanum to attain its greatest perfection; but wherever they appear they 
excite attention by their remarkable habit and magnificent appearance. 
Zygophyllum atriplicoides, a bush never over four feet in height, is found scattered in 
a few localities over the country. 16 is useless as fodder or for fuel. 'Two species of 
Artemisia, with woody stems, one to two feet in height, cover the country with a thin 
serub, and form the chief pasturage on these gravelly plains, and their gnarled root-stocks 
and stems are excellent fuel. There аге numerous Leguminose, among which Zrersmannia 
is a superb plant, bearing a profusion of purplish rose-coloured flowers. Acanthophyllum 
squarrosum was in abundance and a very variable species, including, in my opinion, three 
of Boissier's. It occurs with several species of Acantholimon, Statice, and Astragalus in 
the form of great spheroid tufts, cushions, and hummocks, covered with numerous blossoms, 
simulating artificial bouquets of greater or less size, the favourite morsels of camels, 
sheep, and goats. In some instances the sheep and goats cannot browse them, owing 
to the spines being in advance of the flowers—an instance of fixed bayonets. Associated | 
with them are numerous species of Cousinia, among which C. Deserti came much under 
our notice, owing to its holly-like leaves, and C. heterophylla, with its grey oak-like 
leaves. Other prominent plants were Gaillonia, Ephedra, and Еитойа. In early spring 
Tulipa montana gave а rich colouring to the whole plain, of every shade from bright 
crimson, crimson and yellow, to pure yellow, and Zris songarica scattered sparsely in large 
clumps, continued flowering well on into autumn, was remarkable for its handsome 
mauve flowers. А species of Zelicophyllum was also profuse, at once attracting attention 
in early spring by its deeply purple-coloured spathes. Annuals were in abundance ; 
most of these are spring flowers, and grow, many of them, in such profusion, covering 
large areas, that they colour the country with their varied hues—among them .Papaver, 
Glaucium, Remeria, Chorispora, Malcolmia, Sisymbrium, Goldbachia, Isatis, and one 
species of Ranunculus. 
One of the chief grasses, most prolific in early summer, and covering the ground 
everywhere, was Poa bulbosa, growing from ten to eighteen inches in height; in these 
parts it might be collected with the greatest ease as fodder sufficient to supply large 
numbers of cattle. Stipa pennata is one of the few grasses which extends to the sterile 
portions of these plains, covering them with great spreading tufts. Close to the hills, and - 
at an altitude of 3000 feet, Amygdalus eburnea occurs as a low shrub. Where there was 
the least shelter, as in dry water-courses and irregular depressions of the ground, there was 
а low scrub of Tamarix gallica, Lactuca orientalis, Pteropyrum Aucheri, Calligonum, 
SECOND SERIES.—BOTANY, VOL. III. D 
