362 



CANDAHAR TO 



place with a tower at each comer, and on north face two ; as well as 

 towers at the gate: but without windows. Joussa is abundant, as 

 also grass along the cuts. Salsola rotundifolia, a Chenopodia, and a 

 curious prickly, leafless Composita and Joussa occur, the latter most 

 common, Artemisia? sp. Also rock pigeons and the raven. Halted 

 one mile to the east of the fort. 



29th. — Proceeded to the Turnuk, near Khet-i-Ahkoond, distance 

 fifteen and a half miles. The country continues the same, no cultiva- 

 tion to be seen before reaching the Turnuk. The road tolerable, over 

 gravelly or shingly ground : it was at first level, until we reached a 

 mountain gorge, when it became undulated. Passed the dry beds of 

 two streams, the second the larger : its banks were clothed with Vi- 

 tex instead of Tamarisk. At the entrance of gorge a fort similar 

 to that of yesterday was passed. Scarcely any change in vegeta- 

 tion. Artemisiae one or two, Centaurea spinosa, Salsoia cordifolia and 

 aphylla? are the most common plants, Euonymus and Malpighiacea ? 

 Polygonoides, occurred along the nullah, a pretty species of the plant, 

 Antheris globosis petaloideo-terminalis, in profusion in some places, 

 literally colouring the ground : close to it another very distinct 

 species, foliis connatis, floribus albis, a Rubiaceous crystalline looking 

 plant, another novelty ; all the plants about the hills at Candahar 

 continue : Dianthoid, Statice, Paederia villosa. Cultivation along 

 the Turnuk, melons in small trenches, the crops are now cut, Jhow 

 or gaz along the bank : but there is not much water. The hills around 

 are apparently of limestone, very picturesque, and presenting very 

 fine cliffs. The valley of the Turnuk is here very narrow, and the 

 country very arid looking, completely burnt up. Joussa rather 

 scarce, doob grass occurs along the river, the water of which is dis- 

 coloured. 



30M. — Proceeded to Shair-i-Suffa, ten miles and six furlongs. The 

 country continues the same. The road extending along the right bank 

 of the Turnuk, over undulating ground for one and a half or two 

 miles, is bad, very narrow, and over- hanging the steep bank of the 

 river, scarcely passable for wheel carriages without preparation. Vege- 

 tation continues precisely the same : little verdure to be seen even 

 along the Turnuk : the hills desperately barren ; a high mound occurs 

 in middle of the valley near our halting place, well adapted for a fort, 

 but unoccupied. Small fields of cultivation are now seen. A small 

 species of mullet occurs in the river: thermometer 101° at 1 p. m. in 

 the tent. 



