TO DR. R, WIGHT. 



xiil 



infinite variety of outward form ; iiere columnar, there liaving the 

 appearance of richly fretted work : here a huge clilf, there a moun- 

 tain thrown down, scattering its wreck in every direction. 



This trip gave me 200 species, mostly very alpine, thus swel- 

 ling my list to 1,200 species; alas! 1,200 only, when I expected 

 2,400 at least !. But perhaps next spring will give me more additi- 

 ons. The curious vegetatation still continues : and is to all intents 

 and purposes Mediterranean. One prevailing feature of the moun- 

 tains, even as high as 13,000 ft. is the abundance of prickly 

 Statices, forming a section to which the term Hystrix would be 

 aptly applied. After crossing the highest ridge, Salsoloideee be- 

 come very common. We crossed five ridges of the following heights 

 10,000, 11,320, 12,180, 12,480, 12,900. We had some severe cold : 

 some snow and ice. Ice was found, or rather half frozen snow, in 

 ravines at 10,500 ft. and upwards, and the eflfect it had on the 

 vegetation was most marked. This was a fortunate circumstonce as 

 it gave me specimens in flower, which elsewhere had long been out of 

 flower, or even passed seeding. Mosses still continue rare, and only 

 one Orchideaf and two Ferns, have as yet been found in AfF- 

 ganisthan. Primula, Pedicularis, several Parnassise, Gentianea, 

 Onosma, several Graminea, Carices 4 5, Swertia, Euphrasia, As- 

 tragali, and Carduaceee, characterise the higher altitudes, the her- 

 baceous forms being generally limited to marshy or humid spots. 



lam just now, doing nothing : the season has passed except at un- 

 attainable altitudes, so that I am bringing up arrears of correspon- 

 dence, and arranging the despatch seeds, etc. I expect to remain 

 in these parts till next spring, but as I do not admire a Cabul 

 winter, and a close blockade for 4 months, I go to Attock, 

 having there, I will return to Peshowur, and from Peshowur, 

 hither in the spring. During the winter 1 shall make small 

 trips here and there, and survey as much as possible. From Cabul I / 

 shall return to India by as circuitous a way as I can select, and if 

 Lord A. allows me to return via Simla, Mussooree, etc. I shall then 

 have seen the Himalayas at more points than any other person. And 

 what a collection shall I not have. Imagine six months in the Hima- 

 layas! I have no news from home, except that Loranthus and Santa- 

 lum have excited interest, and set some persons to work. They are by 

 no means the only novelties 1 have ; my collections will furnish many 



