312 Alexanders exploits on the Western Banks of the Indus. [April, 



Cabul river, viz. the Cophenes, and which includes Yousoufze'is proper, 

 Booner, upper and lower Suwat, Penjecoore, and the dependencies of 

 Dhyr. 



Remarkable places being points that may serve for comparative geo- 

 graphy, as well as rivers and mountains, I shall select the following for 

 observation : — 



1st. The cave Cashmeer Ghar, situated in the territory of the Baboo- 

 ze'is, on a mountain which cannot be ascended but by a steep passage, 

 hewn in a great measure out of the rock. This place is also called 

 Pelley, and is sixteen koss from the town of Soukhor. The cave is said 

 to be of an immeasurable depth, and to have so large an aperture, that 

 it is impossible to discern the direction by casting in a stone. As both 

 sides of the entrance are of solid masonry, and the front is encumbered 

 with enormous cut stones, one would imagine that it is one of the sub- 

 terraneous temples attributed to the Pandoovans, or to the Caffers. At 

 present it is a place of shelter for myriads of wood-pigeons. Quite close 

 to it are visible the traces of a town or castle, whence idols are some- 

 times dug up ; a basin also is observable there continually supplied with 

 water. I had been assured that an inscription was discoverable, but my 

 men could trace out none whatever. I am not aware if this cave be 

 identical with that of Roostam, to which I have alluded in my des- 

 cription of Yousoufze'is. 



2nd. The sandy cave of Dekia, situated at the foot of mount 

 Ghardoom in the district of Dhyr, on which there are the traces of a 

 town. 



3rd. The Khial cave, near the ruins of Meidan, in the canton of 

 Bajore. 



4th. The vast basin that exists on mount Bikary, to the west of Dhyr, 

 being a place of pilgrimage for the Hindoos, who give out that their 

 Pir disappeared on that spot. 



5th. The basin situated to the east of Dhyr in the district of Tal, where 

 a fire exists under a cupola maintained from time immemorial, and kept 

 up at present by a Guebrian woman. 



6th. Lake Mansoroor in Bajore, situated on a mountain fifteen koss 

 from Bendy Berravol, which is continually supplied with water in conse- 

 quence of the perpetual snow. 



7th. Mount Hilo, situated in Yousoufze'is, by the Mahometans deno- 

 minated Hilum Pilum, and by the Hindoos Ramtakt. This place is 

 much frequented by the latter, who perform an annual pilgrimage 

 thither during the month of April, in memory of Rajah Ramtchend. 

 Those Hindoos likewise make the pilgrimage of Chamra, situated near 

 Ootchan, country of the Samooze'is 



