TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 445. 



protected on the north by the Kabool river, and on the west by the Surkhab, and 

 there is another smaller stream on the east, which may have been the boundary 

 on that side. On the opposite bank of the river is the Pheel Khana group of 

 topes and caves, which would overlook the city, and form a picturesque suburb in 

 that direction ; on the west there would be the Duranta monasteries on the lower 

 skirts of the Siah Koh, also overlooking the city and forming another pleasant 

 suburb for the Buddhist devotees of the city to stroll to and worship at the various 

 shrines. The Char Bagh group is a little more distant on the south, but still near 

 enough to be looked upon as a part of the capital city. The city, when in its days 

 of splendour, was not only a fine one, securely situated, and surrounded with impo- 

 sing architectural temples and monastical buildings full of statues and pictures, 

 resplendent with gold and every bright colour, but it was a good strategical situa- 

 tion, commanding at once the entrance to Lughman, the Kunar Valley, and the 

 hijjh road to Kabool. 



2. Afghan War. — The Kuram Valley. By Captain Gerald Martin. 



Captain Gerald Martin (writing from the Peiwar Kotal) reported on the survey 

 operations conducted by officers of the Indian Survey Department attached to the 

 ' Kuram Column ' of the Afghanistan expeditionary force. Captain Woodthorpe, 

 Captain Martin, and Lieutenant Manners Smith were the surveyors, and the area com- 

 prised the whole of the Kuram Valley and the district of Khost to the south, 

 representing an addition to our geographical knowledge of 4,500 square miles! 

 Captain Martin gave a short summary of the movements of the troops, includino- 

 the battle on the Peiwar Pass, the march to Shutor-gardan, the action in the 

 Mangior defile, and the advance into Khost. The surveyors accompanied all the 

 more important reconnaissances. 



The report then described the sources and the course of the river Kuram with 

 its numerous tributaries, as well as the Shamil and other rivers in Khost. The 

 account of the rivers was followed by an enumeration and description of all the 

 principal routes up the Kuram Valley, and of those branching from it to Khost or 

 across the Safaid-Koh range to Jellalabad. The towns, or rather chief villages, 

 were then enumerated and described, and some information was given respecting 

 the climate of the Kuram Valley. Captain Martin next gave a general description 

 of the country, dwelling on the beauty of the scenery at several points, and specially 

 on the magnificent views of the Safaid-Koh and other mountain ranges. Several 

 peaks and important passes in the Safaid-Koh range were visited by the surveyors, 

 and Captain Martin gave an interesting account of journeys to the Lakerai and' 

 Shutor-gardan Passes, and of an ascent of the Sikeram peak, the loftiest in the 

 Safaid-Koh range, and 15,600 feet above the sea. He also explained the great 

 value of the heliograph in field signalling, and for triangulation. During this expe- 

 dition communication was kept up by means of a 3-inch heliograph, at a "distance of 

 34 miles. 



The paper concluded with a very interesting account of the botany of the 

 Kuram Valley and of its forest-clad slopes (which was furnished by Dr. Aitchison) 

 and with a detailed account of the Hill tribes. 



3. Afghan War. — Country between Kandahar and Oirishlc. 

 By Captain B. Beavan, F.B.0.8. 



Captain P. Beavan, F.R.G.S. (writing from Kandahar), describes the country 

 between Kandahar and Girishk, which was traversed by the division under the 

 command of Major-General Biddulph in January and February, 1879. Girishk 

 on the right bank of the river Halmand, is of great importance as a military position' 

 because it lies at the extremity of the vast mountain masses that break up the whole' 

 country between the Halmand and the Arghastan into a troubled sea of rock. 

 Skirting the route to the south lies the great sandy desert, equally impassable for 

 troops. Thus the tract from Girishk to Kandahar forms practically the sole mili- 



