Topographical Remarks regarding Afghanistan. 337 



the houses ; the apartments are warmed by charcoal burnt in 

 a small earthenware or iron vessel, this is covered with a 

 frame work of wood over which is fastened coarse cloth stuf- 

 fed with cotton, and over all is a large quilt suited to the size 

 of the room ; the heat is thereby retained, and the members of 

 the family sleep under it at night and sit on cushions with the 

 feet and lower part of the body covered with it by day, with 

 the upper part of the body and arms encased in tanned sheep 

 skins or cloth lined with furs. The apartments are all so open 

 there appears to be no danger from the vapour of charcoal, 

 which moreover is shut in, the heat only escaping. I never 

 heard of any injurious consequences, nor do the natives ap- 

 pear to be aware of the effects of carbonic acid gas, or even 

 of its existence. 



This mode of imparting warmth at small expense is well 

 suited to the Affghans, and is termed a sandali, and is used 

 in the open shops in the bazar as well as in their houses. 



The bazars are for the most part a row of cells on each 

 side of a narrow street, before which is a raised platform or 

 booth, in which the vender of the various commodities sits 

 with his goods or wares displayed beside him; in the hot 

 weather the heat of the sun is moderated by the bazar being 

 covered with the branches of trees. The Chow-chut, or 

 principal bazar, is a very fine one, and is at all times a bus- 

 tling, stirring, crowded place. Each class of merchants and 

 tradesmen have their respective quarters, but bakers, cooks, 

 confectioners, apothecaries, butchers, fruiterers, and green- 

 sellers are dispersed in various places. 



There are also several large caravansaries for the reception 

 and accommodation of the travelling merchants and traders 

 and their goods. 



The population of Cabul in summer may be reckoned 

 100,000, of these 12,000 are Kazilbashes or Persians, 10,000 

 Hazaras, and a few families of Armenians and Jews, the re- 

 mainder being Affghans, Hindoos, Cashmeres and Punjabees. 



