582 Notes on the Geography of Western Afghanistan. [June, 



line, circling by Muemonah towards the country of Balkh, is known as 

 Ghorjestan. 



The division to the North-East of Herat is Khorukh, once a most 

 fertile and populous spot ; it lies some 50 or 60 miles to the east of the 

 still more celebrated canton of Badgheesh. 



This district is about 160 miles long by 120 broad, situated to the 

 North of Herat, being composed of both high mountains and corre 

 spondingly low vallies ; it enjoys a great diversity of climate, producing 

 both cattle, corn, fruit and timber ; in particular a tree called Uroos, 

 which is seldom destroyed by rot or insects ; 70,000 Khurwars of grain 

 were with no difficulty collected from this division in the days of Sultan 

 Husuen Bahadoor Khan, as the grain revenue. Robate Khoosh is con- 

 sidered on the boundary between Herat and Badgheesh. A river of 

 some size, called the Purkhud, is mentioned in Badgheesh. 



Three circars did compose this district — Lungur Umeer Gheeyas, 

 Chuhel Dokhteran and Jurlan. 



The first owes its name to a holy Seyud of the days of Timoor ; 

 the second is watered by a rapid stream, and the third contains the 

 wonderful fort of Nurutoo, situated on the summit of a bare rock, with 

 only one narrow winding road to the gate ; than it is no stronger fort 

 in Khorasan. The climate is so cold that flowers appear here only in 

 the autumn of the lower altitudes. Tukhte Mulek is a small district 

 surrounded with mountains, which during even summer are capped with 

 snow. 



Direct west of Herat, between it and Ghorian, lies Pooshung, with 

 its robat and musjed, the former being one of bad omen. Near the 

 hills round this robat are marks of feet imprinted on the stones, said 

 to be those of the prophet Abraham ; while all the stones are in the 

 form of birds and animals, being petrifactions; there is also, a spring of 

 aperient water much visited by the infirm. Koosooyah is of this district, 

 celebrated for a defeat given to the Moghuls in the year H. 695. 

 Koosooyuh is the Kouseri of Edresee and Sir Wm. Ouseley's work. 



Felbundan is a large plain entirely devoted to the cultivation of 

 melons of the largest size ; to the eye of the stranger these white, round 

 immense melons scattered over the plains appear like sheep lying down 

 to repose. 



South of Herat rood, East and North of Furah, reaching to and at 



