322 Notes on Kdfirutdn. [No. 4. 



which is considered by him to be the source of the Oxus. After 

 pursuing a south-westerly course, through Kafiristan, Chitral, Lam- 

 ghan Jaud the Kuner or Kamah district, for about three hundred 

 and eighty miles, it joins the Kabul river ten miles below Jelalabad, 

 in Lat. 34° 24/ and Long. 70° 35'. 



At the junction with the latter stream, and for about thirty miles 

 further up, it is known as the Kamah river, from the name of 

 the district which it waters, situated immediately to the north and 

 east of Jelalabad. Some distance further up, the stream is called 

 the Kuner, from the small town and district on its eastern bank ; 

 and a short distance still more to the north, it is at times designat- 

 ed the Nurgil, from the valley aud district so called, lying on its 

 western bank, and from which, as well as from districts still further 

 to the north, several smaller tributaries fall into it. As we ad- 

 vance towards its source, it is known as the Chegau-sara'e, from the 

 town of that name on its western bank. Here it receives a minor 

 stream called the Pich, from the north-east, which rising in the 

 Hindu Kush, flows through a valley bearing the same name. By 

 proceeding along its banks Badakhshan may be reached ; but the 

 road is difficult and lies through the defiles of the mountains. 

 From Cheghau-sara'e to its source in Beliit Tagh or Beliiristan, to 

 the north-east, it is known as the river of Kashkilr or Chitral.* 



On the melting of the snows in the spring and summer months, 

 it can only be crossed by means of rafts, formed by tying together 

 the inflated skins of beasts and laying straw on the top of them ; 

 for it then becomes much swollen, and increases very considerably 

 in volume, and rolls along over its rocky bed with great impetu- 

 osity. From this it is evident, that it must have more than one 

 considerable influx in its upward course. During the winter mouths, 

 the stream, although still rapid, is of no great volume. It is the 

 Choes of Arrian and the Choaspes of Strabo. 



The next river in succession towards the west is the Kow, which 

 also rises on the southern slope of the Hindu Kush, but much lower 

 down towards the south. After a course of about seventy miles, 



* All these names have confused some authors, and have caused them to make 

 several rivers of it. Elphinstone and Moorcroft call it by the general name of 

 Kamch or Kama. 



