786 Lieut. Irwin s Memoir of Afghanistan. [Oct. 



below it. The river of Koonduz, in a far warmer country, freezes 

 every year so as to admit of horses passing it, but its current is more 

 sluggish. In Bactria there is considerable diversity of climate, arising 

 from circumstances already mentioned (see para. 19.) The climate of 

 Bulkh is perhaps the warmest ; summer and winter succeed one another 

 by a very rapid transition, and both are severe. These circumstances 

 coupled with the moisture of the air, render the place neither healthy 

 nor agreeable, and the natives of Cabul had the greatest aversion to 

 serving in Bulkh when that place was in reality, as now it is in name, 

 under their monarchy ; many of its villages, however, are healthy. 

 Koonduz though low, moist, and warm like Bulkh is yet more healthy. 

 The districts to the south and east are colder in various degrees. The 

 lower part of the valley of Khost is warm, and no place in Bactria is so 

 cold as Cabul. Shibirghan, Undukho, Mymuna, and Kuburmach are 

 healthy, and their temperature somewhat less than that of Bulkh. 



59. Chinese Toorkistan although in general more northerly than in- 

 dependent Toorkistan, has not a colder climate, but rather the contrary, 

 for the inhabited places are for the most part in low plains. Kashghur 

 is colder than Yarkund. The temperature very gradually declines as 

 we proceed to the more northern parts. The Pamer is exceedingly cold, 

 yet may be crossed in autumn. With the exception of Chitrul, 

 already mentioned (see paragraph 55.) Kashkar is undoubtedly a cold 

 country, but to what degree we cannot yet tell. All the Tibets have 

 rigorous climates, considerably colder than Cabul, even in the cultiva- 

 ted vallies. Between the Tibets and Hindoostan, the Punjab and other 

 countries to the south and south-west, there is every degree of tempera- 

 ture, from mountains clad in never melting snow, to low and sultry 

 plains. 



Section II. — Of Winds. 



60. In most countries it requires the observation of many years 

 to determine what winds on the whole are predominant, and in what 

 seasons of the year ; we are otherwise in danger of stating local 

 and temporary phenomena as general and constant. In the total 

 want, in the present case, of sUch records, and under the necessity, 

 moreover, of relying on the testimony or rather opinion of others, 

 who may not have considered the subject with the patience it 

 requires, it must be expected that the present account shall be meagre, 

 perhaps in many points erroneous. 



