358 



TRAVELLERS — MANNA. 



The wasps, with large femora, I observe build their mud nests in 

 houses. The rarity of Lepidoptera, except perhaps some nocturnal 

 moths, is curious ; Coleoptera are more common, but inconspicuous. 

 Ants are abundant in the mud walls. A small gnat with large 

 noiseless wings, is very annoying, and the bite very painful and irri- 

 tating. Doves, and wild pigeons are tolerably common, as also crested 

 larks, and swifts. Abundance of lizards j a venomous snake of brown 

 colour, having an abruptly attenuated tail. 



Every thing that happens shows how credulous, and how un- 

 enquiring we are ; and in all cases out of our particular sphere, how 

 extremely apt most are to give excessive credit, where a moderate only 

 is due. It is a generous failing which it is difficult to condemn, 

 particularly with regard to our travellers in this direction. Instance 

 Connolly, and certainly Gerard whose acquaintance with Burnes and 

 its results demands attention. It is singular that his name scarcely 

 occurs in Burnes' book, although his scientific knowledge and MSS. 

 submitted to Government, entitle him to be considered an observant, 

 and well-informed traveller. Pottinger is another instance of what I 

 have said above. 



The general opinion is, and it is one which I have not discarded 

 entirely, that he threw himself into Herat, that he was throughout 

 the siege daily employed in the front of the garrison, and that it is 

 owing to his personal exertions that Herat was saved. I hear how- 

 ever on good authority that he was at Herat accidentally, and wish- 

 ed to leave it when the besiegers appeared, but was prevented by 

 want of funds. So anxious was he however to get away, as his 

 leave of absence had expired, that he was obliged to discover himself 

 to Yar Mahommed, and request loans to enable him to rejoin India. 

 The Vizier at once secured him, took him to Kamran, and hindered him 

 from leaving, forcing him indeed to the dangerous elevation of Bri- 

 tish Agent at Herat. His merits, if this be true, rest on very differ- 

 ent grounds from those generally supposed ; his courage however has 

 been proved of a high moral cast. 



The Joussa, the Moolla tells me, is the Kan Shootur or Shootur 

 Kan. Burnes' account of the Turunjbeen or manna is correct, ex- 

 cept perhaps in the limits he assigns to its production. It is at any 

 rate produced here and sold in the bazar, its production while the 

 plant is in flower is curious, and worthy of examination ; it may 

 however be deposited by an insect, in which case the probable period 

 of its production would be that of inflorescence. 



