OLD CANDAHAR. 



361 



complete, but if viewed parallel to the surface, no appearance of 

 the sort occurs. The reflection is due to the surface of the ghee 

 which appears to be more dense than the rest, probably more oily ; 

 this mathematical reflection may suggest others of a moral nature, 

 touching our liability to mistaken views of things, from observing only 

 one side. 



Old Candahar is about three miles to west of the new town ; it 

 is immediately under a steep limestone range, running about south- 

 west, and not exceeding 500 feet in height. It bears marks of having 

 been fortified, and at either extremity remains of forts are still 

 visible. The fort of forty steps is at the north end of the range. The 

 town is in complete ruins ; indeed none of the edifices are visible 

 except those that occupy the mound of stones, (with which they are 

 partly built) probably the site of the citadel. On three sides, the 

 town is fenced by two respectable ditches, the outer one about 50 

 yards wide ; both are now, especially the outer, beds of marshes ; they 

 were supplied by cuts from the Arghandab river. Wells exist how- 

 ever. There is one white mosque in good preservation. The works 

 were strong, and much better than the very indifferent ones of new 

 Candahar ; and the walls of the town were prolonged up the face of 

 the hills. 



About Candahar, conical houses occur, probably for granaries. A 

 curious mosque cut out of the rock in situ, is seen on the Girishk 

 road, with a flight of steps leading to it, cut in like manner out of 

 the rock. There is also in the same quarter the fort of Chuhul- 

 zeenat, or forty steps ; a work not of very considerable extent ; 

 and as in other Asiatic countries I have visited, troughs are cut 

 in rocks for separating grain from the husk . But there is no work to 

 be seen indicating vast labour or any genius. 



Some remains of good pottery may be picked up ; and the earth of 

 which the works, etc. were made, is filled with remains of coarse 

 pottery. 



21th. — Moved four miles to Shorundab, the country is very barren : 

 not much Joussa : the water is brackish at our present encampment, 

 which is within sight of Babawallee. 



28th — Proceeded to Kileeyazim, ten and a quarter miles, marched 

 at 2 p. m. and reached the place at 6'p. m., the camels arriving one 

 hour afterwards : the ground is generally good, throughout stony, 

 difficult in places and undulated, particularly in two situations occa- 

 sioned from cuts. There is a square fort, situated at the halting 



3 a 



