EXTRACTS FROM JUS LETTERS. 



XV 



walnut will not be a good instance, because even if you can get it from 

 Java, it is a tree that requires cold, and must consequently be found 

 at considerable altitudes. Your instances must be taken from sub- 

 jects that can bear a great range of climate : you have some in 

 the apricot, vine, etc. I will not fail in sending you what you want 

 from Cabul, and also from Peshawur, in which almost the extremes 

 of temperature can be contrasted. I will also get the woods of 

 apricots, cherries, etc., at the highest elevations on my road back, 

 as I hope to pass through the grand fruit country of Afghanistan. 

 No Jungermannias are obtainable in this part, nor anywhere indeed, 

 except towards the true Himalayas. I do not remember having 

 seen the pomegranate growing at Cabul : the place is too cold for 

 it. I think however, I can get some from Khujjah, where snow lies 

 in winter. I leave for the Provinces early in October, and shall 

 travel 30 miles a day. I want to get to Seharunpore, 15 or 20 days 

 in advance of my time, as I must run up to Mussoorie and fish in 

 the Dhoon. I shall be in Calcutta in all February." 



Cabul : September 26th, 1840. 



" I despatch to-morrow the first of the bits of wood, the duplicates 

 will be sent on the 28th or 29th : on this latter day I leave for 

 Peshawur, and right glad am I that the time has come at last. I 

 will send you the same woods from Peshawur, but shall scarcely be 

 able to send you pomegranate from any thing like a cold place. 



" On receiving your specimens of vine, the following question 

 occurred to me. If wood is a deposit from the leaves or fibres 

 sent down from the leaves, how is the presence of wood to be 

 accounted for in tendrils, which have no leaves, but yet which 

 are evidently branches ? The theory of the formation of wood, 

 which considers it as above, is deemed ingenious, but it will not I 

 think be found to be true. The bark evidently has a great deal to 

 say to the matter. 



" 1 shall be most rejoiced at a remote prospect of again setting 

 to work. I take no interest now in the vegetation of this country. I 

 hope to be at Loodianah early in November ; my present intention is 

 to run up to Simla, thence to Mussoorie, and descend on Seharunpore. 

 If I do this, I shall only leave one point unfinished, and that is the 

 Hindoo-koosh Proper, where however I shall have the advantage of 

 Major Sanders of the Engineers, who will pick up a few plants for 

 me. I wish much to take notes of the vegetation about Simla and 



