898 Lieut. Irwin's Memoir of Afghanistan. [Nov. 



(with their various branches of a steep character and moderate height.) 

 in the middle of the range of 34°, in nearly the whole of that of 32^°, in 

 the beginning of the salt range, on the mountain called Tuchti-Sooli- 

 man, on the lofty mountain Bunseekurn, and the Jadran range, on the 

 Ootman Khel hills, on the Aktan hills in Toorkistan, and some of the 

 mountains of Chinese Toorkistan. Pines are also found in some spots of 

 the Kokur country; Cabul is supplied from the mountain of Kulkucha, 

 about three days to the east. Bameean, Ghuznee, the Huzara and Ymak 

 countries have no pine trees. Some are found in a few spots of Bulochis- 

 tan. The natives distinguish at least seven kinds, but all are not found 

 in the same quarters. Toorkistan and Kushmeer do not seem to possess 

 that speeies which is called Julghoza, and which bears a large cone, 

 the seeds of which are idly supposed to possess many good qualities. 

 Another species by the Afghans called Shouty, is remarkable for its 

 being so combustible that the natives use it as a torch; this too 

 seems unknown in Toorkistan. I have received no hint of the larch 

 or any other deciduous species of the pine being found in any of those 

 countries. It may be observed, that the fall of the leaf does not take 

 place even in the same species at one time in climates so different. In 

 Peshawur most trees retain their leaves till near spring, but in Cabul, 

 Khoorasan, and Toorkistan the autumn frosts shed the foliage. 



136. Evergreens, besides the pines, are but few. It may be con- 

 jectured holly grows on the lofty mountains, but I have never received 

 any hint of it. The cypress is chiefly known as a cultivated tree, but 

 is found wild in some situations. Excepting it, the natives reckon the 

 chinar or sycamore, the most beautiful of trees. Some are found at 

 Lahour, but are certainly not indigenous. There are two species, the 

 Chinar or Sufeda, which has a broad shade, and the Punja-chinar or 

 Sufedar, which grows slender and tall. The Chinar is indigenous in 

 Kushmeer, Khost of Bunnoo, Goorzwan in the Ymak country, Durwaz, 

 and various other situations. It prefers a moderate climate inclining 

 to cold, deep valleys, and a moist, fat soil. 



137- The same situations are most favourable to willows, but some 

 of them are seen growing in all climates, from the plain of Peshawur 

 to the country of the Huzaras. This is perhaps the only tree which 

 withstands the cold of the Pamer. The willow is banished only from 

 the hot and dry plains, and some peculiar situations. There are seve- 

 ral species, but four are the most known, viz.— the weeping willow, 

 which the natives call Mujnoon, and value for its beauty, the Bedi 

 Mooskk from which is extracted a perfumed water, the green willow 

 which is the commonest of all, and the red, which grows straight and 



