A BOTANICAL TOUR IN KASHMIR. 81 



I explored another side nullah on the following day (August 5th), and found 

 this one even more difficult. In one place I had to circumvent a big waterfall, 

 and by the time I had got round to the top of it evening was coming on and 

 rain too. This waterfall was rather a remarkable one on account of the rocks 

 of all sizes which were constantly being carried over the fall. My attention 

 was first attracted by the peculiar sound produced by the rattling of the 

 stones. 



I much regretted being obliged to leave this beautiful valley, which would 

 require several days for its proper exploration. There was a good deal of rain 

 in the night, and all the streams were much swollen when I left for Nomal the 

 next morning. The river too was very high, and the two bridges near the 

 village of Naltar looked very insecure when we passed over them, and one or 

 both must have collapsed very soon afterwards. 



On reaching Nomal I was told that the Gilgit bridge had been carried away 

 and that the only communication with Gilgit was by the rope bridge. The 

 damage done by swollen rivers during these few days appears to have been 

 caused by a wave of warm air acting over a large extent of country ; for, on 

 my way back to Kashmir, I saw in many places signs of the havoc done to 

 roads, bridges, and village water-courses, all of which happened at about the 

 same time. At Bunji one of those curious mud streams came down and 

 destroyed the water-courses ; and at Eamghat the Dachkat torrent gave much 

 trouble. At Harcho, in the Astor Yalley, a bridge was carried away, and in 

 the Kamri Yalley a good deal of damage was done. 



In order to escape the heat of the Hunza Yalley during the day, I left 

 Nomal at about 2 A.m. and reached Gilgit in time for breakfast. The rope 

 bridge was a decidedly disagreeable obstacle at the end of a long and tiring 

 march. In addition to the sense of insecurity which a man with a fairly 

 good head for giddy heights need not be ashamed of, and with an inky black 

 river rushing beneath him at a racing pace, there is a considerable amount 

 of physical exertion required. 



I remained at Gilgit for two days, and I gladly take this opportunity of 

 expressing my obligations to Mr. Robertson, the Officiating British Agent, for his 

 kindness and hospitality. I had the pleasure also of making the acquaintance 

 of Surgeon-Captain Roberts, the Medical Officer attached to the Agency. His 

 knowledge of gardening does justice to the capabilities of the climate in the 

 production of good vegetables and fruit. He also takes an interest in botany, 

 and through his kindness I have since received from him a very interesting 

 set of specimens collected in the neighbourhood of Gilgit. I am also indebted 

 to Captain Younghusband, not only for many acts of kindness during my stay 

 at Gilgit, but also for a very interesting collection of plants gathered by him 

 during his memorable journey across the Pamirs. 



In - a dry and rocky country like Gilgit there must always be considerable 

 difficulty in arranging for a continuous supply of fodder for any large number 

 U 



