80 JO URNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. IX. 



one of them, Bakapushi, over 25,000 feet, standing out clear against the blue 

 sky. The first sight of Gilgit from the Jutial Ridge is very striking, as you 

 look down upon the wide expanse of orchards and cultivated fields, the colours 

 of which appeared so vivid by contrast with the surrounding bare and 

 dazzling rocks. 



I stayed at Gilgit for one day, and left early on the morning of the 2nd of 

 August for Nomal in the Hunza Valley. After crossing the bridge over the 

 Gilgit Eiver the road follows the left bank of that river in an easterly direction 

 for about 3 miles and then turns round towards the north up the Hunza 

 Valley. The distance from Gilgit to Nomal by this road is about 16 miles. 

 This is a very hot and trying march in summer, as there is not a particle of 

 shade except at one place, about half-way, where a landslip has brought 

 down some big boulders. There is no water either, except that of the river, 

 which at this time of the year is quite muddy and looks more like a mixture 

 of ink and milk. After entering the Hunza Valley the road traverses for some 

 miles an undulating sandy tract covered in parts by a large bushy species of 

 Ephedra (E. intermedia). After passing the half-way boulders the road is 

 carried for a considerable distance along the side of a precipitous hill, descend- 

 ing again to more level ground before reaching Nomal. The elevation of this 

 place is 5,500 feet. 



On the following morning I left the Hunza road, and went up the Naltar 

 Valley towards the north-west. , For the first few miles the valley is confined 

 within bare precipitous rocks. Some interesting specimens were gathered near 

 the river, which has to be crossed by bridges four times before reaching the 

 village of Naltar, the elevation of which is about 6,500 feet. There is plenty 

 of vegetation here, and some good crops were seen of wheat, barley, Tcangni 

 (locally called pirpit) and chena. Walnuts, apples, and vines are also grown 

 here. 



After resting for a little while I continued up the path for a few miles, 

 and found a capital camping-ground in a forest of silver fir at an elevation of 

 about 9,000 feet. Beyond this the valley opens out, and is clothed with fine 

 forests containing silver fir, juniper, and blue pine (Pinus excelsa). On the 

 slopes facing the north-east these forests extend to a considerable elevation 

 mixed with birch and willow. There is a path leading up to the head of this 

 valley to a pass which separates it from the Ohaprot Valley. Numerous 

 glacier-fed streams come down into this valley from either side. As I had 

 only two days to spare for botanical exploration, I found it difficult to decide 

 as to which route to take on each day, there being so much promising-looking 

 ground in every direction. My expectations were fulfilled on the first day, 

 and the cooly-load of drying paper which I took with me was very soon used 

 up, and the collecting box crammed full of rare specimens long before I had 

 reached any great elevation. In fact, owing to the richness of the vegetation 

 and the difficult nature of the ground, I managed to get up only to about 2,000 

 feet above my camp. 



