354 



CANDAHAR. 



8th. — The installation of the Shah, which took place to-day on 

 the plain to the north of the city, was a spectacle worth seeing on 

 account of the grand display of troops ; but there were very few of 

 the inhabitants of Candahar or surrounding villages present. Mul- 

 berries and apricots are now ripening. Rats, a Viverra with a long 

 body and short legs, tawny with brown patches, face broad, blackish- 

 brown, white band across the forehead, and white margins to the 

 ears which are large ; storks were seen when alarmed. Pastor roseus 

 occurs in flocks ; magpies, swallows, swifts, and starlings. There 

 is a garden with some religious buildings, to which an avenue of 

 young trees leads in a north-east direction from one of the Cabul 

 gates, for there are two on this face. The buildings are not 

 remarkable ; nor are the trees, which are small ; a few planes 

 (Platanus) occur, the most common is the Benowsh, a species of ash, 

 (Fraxinus) of no great size or beauty. The elegant palmate leaved 

 Pomacea likewise occurs, with the mulberry : the marigold is a 

 great favourite. 



The fields are now ripening, this being the harvest-moon. Wild 

 oats occur commonly, although they are not made any use of ; the 

 seed is large, and ripens sooner than any of the others ; from the size 

 of the uncultivated specimens, I am sure that oats would form an 

 excellent crop. 



In the fields Cichorium is very common, and Carduacea, Centaurea 

 cyanea, Dipsaceae, and in certain low places an Arundo, are the most 

 common weeds ; two or three Silenacese, and Umbelliferse also occur. 

 In the ditches Typha, Butomus, watercresses, Alomioides, Cerato- 

 phyllum, Lemna gibba ? Confervas, Graminese two or three, Ranun- 

 culus, Potamogeton, one species immersa ; Mentha, Sium. 



On the Chummuns, which are of no extent, but which are pleasing 

 from their verdure and soft sward chiefly consisting of Carex, Trifo- 

 lium, Juncus rigidus, Santalacea, and Gentiana likewise prevail. 



The fields of lucerne are luxuriant, but require much water, the 

 price of which is very dear ; one ass-load costs eight annas ! ! 



Iris crocifolia is common in old cultivations. 



The city is situated at the termination of one of the shingly slopes, 

 which are universal between the bases of the hills, and the cultivated 

 portion of the valley. The ditch is hence shingly, whereas an equal 

 depth in the cultivated parts would meet nothing but a sandy, light, 

 easily pulverizable brownish-yellow soil, tenacious, and very slippery 

 when wet. The tobacco crop is excellent. 



