1839.] Lieut. Irwin s Memoir of Afghanistan. 787 



61. Some facts however seem to be established on sufficient evidence. 

 It may be asserted that in the whole of Toorkistan, Budukhshan, and 

 the north in general, the prevailing wind is from the north. In 

 Bokhara it blows with considerable violence in the signs Cancer, Leo, 

 and Virgo ; after three months cessation, it recommences, and blows, 

 though with less vehemence, during Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces. 

 These may with propriety be called midsummer and midwinter 

 winds. The former are sometimes felt warm by day in Bokhara, the 

 latter, when strong, are felt piercingly cold. Both vary from time to 

 time in strength, blowing for seven to ten days with violence, and then 

 remitting for nearly an equal time. In the wide space in which this 

 northerly current prevails it may be supposed to have considerable 

 variations in its direction, (for it need not be supposed to be always due 

 north) strength, and other circumstances. It is not constant and strong 

 in the west of Toorkistan, but it has occasionally given melancholy 

 proofs of its power. It has submerged under sand the far greater part 

 of the kingdom of Khwaruzm, and yearly curtails the habitable lands 

 of Bokhara. The same evil consequences are not apprehended from 

 the north winds in the quarter of Bulkh, yet even there they 

 occasionally blow with great vehemence. In the war which Ty- 

 moor Shah waged in that country with the Oozbuks, there were six 

 successive days in which these winds suspended all hostile operations. 

 Budukhshan, except in some particular situations, has a still climate, 

 by reason of the shelter afforded by its lofty mountains, and is not 

 so breezy as even Cabul ; the north winds however are there also 

 the prevalent ones, though much diminished in their strength. It 

 deserves remark, that the Persian word ' Shimal/ which properly 

 means f the north,' is in Toorkistan, Budukhshan, and the north in 

 general familiarly understood by the signification of wind. In the 

 Persian Gulph, the same denotes a blast. It is remarked in Bokhara 

 that the south-east wind there, called ' Kypung/is productive of great 

 warmth, and when it occurs in the spring, the snow rapidly disappears. 



62. If we pass from Toorkistan to Khoorasan we still find the same 

 northern current to prevail in the western parts of that province — little 

 change takes place in its direction, and even at Hirat it seems to 

 be from nearly due north, but in longitudes more easterly its 

 direct progress is opposed by the Paraparnisan mountains, which shelter 

 that part of Khoorasan which lies to the south of them. At a mode- 

 rate distance however from these mountains the current seems to 

 recommence, though with diminished force and altered direction. It 

 now inclines to the east of south, or even blows due east, as if to reach 



5 i 



