1843.] and the Eastern portion of Cutchee. 43 



be adopted with success. That which is termed the valley of Shawl, 

 is at an elevation of about 5,500 feet above the level of the sea, and has 

 advantages over most of the surrounding country, being in most parts 

 abundantly supplied with water from small mountain streams; and 

 that part which is under cultivation, produces very rich and beautiful 

 crops. 



There are no large rivers, but one or two considerable streams, 

 Rivers. the chief of which is the Sosa, into which most of the in- 

 ferior streams empty themselves. 



The year may be considered to be divided into four seasons: spring, 

 which commences in March and lasts till May, during 

 which time the thermometer ranges 70°, lowest 50°; sum- 

 mer, from June to August, range of thermometer, highest 80°, lowest 

 76°; autumn from September to November, range of thermometer, 

 highest 60°, lowest 40°; winter, from December to February, range 

 of thermometer, highest 50°, lowest 30°. The prevailing winds are 

 westerly and southerly, and always cool ; a good deal of snow falls 

 in the valley in January and February. 



The population of Shawl may be estimated at about 4,000 men, a 



third of whom are Kasees, (or cultivators of the 



soil,) 2,000 may be reckoned as Afghan Kakurs, 



and the remainder as mixed tribes, including the Hindoos of the town 



of Quetta. 



Wild Animals. The hills of this district abound with wild sheep, 

 goats, and hogs. 

 A great variety of English plants are found, and a variety of 

 English trees, shrubs, and herbs are to be found, such 

 as cherry, almond, hawthorn, barberry, &c. &c Also 

 the juniper, which grows to the height of from eighteen to thirty 

 feet. Within eight miles of Quetta, there is a forest of this des- 

 cription on a piece of table land, affording an inexhaustible source of 

 fire wood, as also rafters for building. The wood of this tree is ex- 

 actly similar to that used in cedar pencils, and the scent equally 

 aromatic. The assafoetida grows in abundance in these hills. The 

 orchards in the vicinity of the town and villages are very beautiful, 

 composed of apricots, mulberry, greengages, plum, pear, apple, pome- 

 granate, &c. interspersed with a variety of other trees, such as the 



