1853.] Travels in Central Asia. 285 



some stages were three or four miles only ; a very barren region, 

 but heard that to N. W. and towards Killi JNob it was fertile. 



Feb. 8th. — Reached Khoorzzi, a Kimorz or scattered village, each 

 house separate — in the most convenient place for a farm. Here 

 had to part with ponies, &c. The country of the Kalzubi — -who 

 inhabit caves or Dror during the winter, and in summer dwellings 

 called Baleej ; — they were anciently called Yapats ; have dark brown 

 or red beards, live by hunting, and use both cross-bows (kylash) and 

 common bow or Teaman. They shoot their large bow reclining, hold- 

 ing the bow with their feet and pulling the string with both hands. 



l^th. — Most of the party hence went round by Bamian. Proceed- 

 ed ; road very rugged, and much fording through icy water ; halted 

 at a grassy place among precipices. 



15th. — Similar rugged country ; halt at a basin of water on top of 

 a black flinty rock, three hundred yards round and of great depth. 

 Caught trout with blood red scales on it, but not allowed to eat 

 them as the place was holy ; no visible ruins, but the place was 

 said to have been a city ; some rude sculptures and a rock. 



16th. — Through precipices of Basalt or granite, reach the Dror (in 

 the dark) of Khalyze. 



17th. — At the Dror — Khalgubys are Turkoman conquerors, Ther- 

 bas the aborigines. 



18th. — Proceeded along bed of a mountain torrent ; ascended, but 

 snow too deep in the pass ; had to return and go round by a dark 

 narrow pass closed by rocks overhead, called Hersh's dark pass ; 

 ascended to a boggy valley full of deep well-shaped chasms. 



Ascending over a great spur ; saw forest, and a valley said to lead 

 in five days to Hamidan. Halted at a village called Thaugush. Lead 

 and copper found in the neighbourhood ; rock limestone resting on 

 granite. 



1 9th. — Robbed by our coolies : heavy rain detained the party. 



20th. — Delayed on account of swollen torrents. Visit a great 

 cave, and on polished floor a colossal figure, eighteen feet long. 



There saw grand cataracts under natural bridge. 



21st. — Proceed — pass a cave in limestone at its junction with gra- 

 nite. 



2 o 



