1840.] Lieut. Irwin's Memoir of Afghanistan. 51 



sometimes the branches of trees, and they drink the water 

 of streams and springs. The chief village of the district, which 

 is called Ufzul Khan, may have 200 houses, all the others are 

 much smaller. 



Kohistan of Cabut. 

 185. The term Kohistan, when used by the Cabulese es- 

 pecially, is seldomer applicable to a hilly country in general 

 than to that mountainous space which lies north of the valley 

 of Cabul; every valley in it has its stream, and there are many 

 springs among the mountains; timber too is plentiful, and 

 in the summer, grass. The inhabitants chiefly subsist on mul- 

 berries, and after them perhaps their grain and their live stock 

 are of equal importance. I know not that any of the tame 

 animals can be said to be the favourite stock. Of grain, wheat 

 is most cultivated, and after it kungunee and barley. Some 

 grain is imported, especially from the Kohdamun, and the re- 

 turns are made in cheese, which is here very good, and cotton, a 

 product we would not have expected in a country so cold. On 

 the whole, however, there is but little trade internal or external, 

 and the people live much to themselves. The country is 

 strong, and at times refuses revenue. The people live in flat- 

 roofed houses, and those who attend the live stock to the 

 mountains in summer do not use tents. The villages are small 

 but numerous; and though the surface under the plough be 

 little, the population is not inconsiderable. Wheat and barley, 

 with very few exceptions, are autumn-sown and watered. 



Jellalabad. 

 186. This district is very diversified, and many of the fol- 

 lowing observations are not true when applied to certain parts 

 of it. It may be said to begin in the eastern quarters, near 

 Umburkhara, in the vicinity of the Markoh or Bedoulut, to ex- 

 tend west to Nimla Kuja, a town of the Khogeeanus, a tribe of 

 Afghans, is within the revenue division, and being situated 

 nearly on the crown of the range of 34°, which is here 

 moderately high, is a cold place. The other towns and villages, 

 with but few exceptions, are in a warm climate, and there arc 



