336 



THE I'ASS. 



novelties were Peganum which continues throughout the pass, 

 Hyoscyamoid, and one or two Composite ; while in water-courses 

 close to it the first dripping rocks occurred covered with Adiantum 

 and fructiferous mosses, and a curious Primuloid plant out of flower, 

 with a curious Clematis. 



The halting place is at the head of the stream, which gushes 

 copiously out of a rock ; the bed of the river or defile is 100 yards wide : 

 the mountains immediately adjoining not exceeding 1,000 feet in 

 height, but the second range is much higher, that to our north being 

 plentifully sprinkled with snow. These mountains are barren, chiefly 

 covered with Convolvulus spinosus, which has a different aspect, with a 

 Sytisoid, handsome silvery shrub, a species of Caragana and Apocynum 

 viminale : about the spring and in other places there are thick patches 

 of a very dwarf palm, and a solitary fig tree, a Lycium album con- 

 tinues : the bed occupied by tufts of coarse Andropogons and Apocynum 

 viminale ; about the spring Adiantum, a small Boraginia, white flow- 

 ered small Composite, a withered Hepaticum, two or three efructifer- 

 ous mosses, and the Primuloid plant. In the stream Chara, Conferva, 

 Peppermint, Beccabunga, Convolvulus, like C. reptans, Arundo left 

 behind nearly. On the mountains fragrant Labiatse, Composite, and 

 Umbelliferse are commencing. The barometer stood at 25.669 ; 

 thermometer 64° at 1 1 a. m. Many soft rocks occurred: passed a 

 clayey looking one, with very elevated strata, containing veins of trans- 

 verse crystals : the sides of the defile are often precipitous, these are 

 generally formed of conglomerate. 



20th. — Continued up the same defile, a gradual ascent, and about 

 two miles from Sirekhugoor entered the pass by pre-eminence ; very 

 much narrowed, precipitous cliffs on both sides : this continues for 

 some time. The road good, shingly, but not very bouldery ; very 

 winding, and generally capable of strong defence ; much cover exists 

 from the rugged margins of cliffs, and windings of the road. The 

 mountains, after four or five miles were passed, gradually receded and 

 became less precipitous : at length we came to gradually rounded 

 more distant mountains ; then to a small valley ; then ascended say 

 100 feet, over a low rocky range, and descended into a fine valley, 

 surrounded by usual barren looking mountains : high ranges to the 

 north and south covered with snow presenting a beautiful view — and 

 now entered Khorassan. We were accompanied by several bands of a 

 gypsyish-looking people, forming parts of a cafilah. They were accom- 

 panied with numerous goats : and camels ornamented with trappings. 



