368 



KHILAT-I-GILZEE TO GHUZNEE. 



shrub ; several good springs occur : clover, and good grass are both 

 adundant for a small party ; Joussa in cultivation. The mountain 

 range to the north is very fine, and apparently of different formation 

 from the others ; here and there whitish patches occur. There is a 

 very evident slope, which is very gradual from the northern range to • 

 the peculiar slope of the southern. 



Several springs of fine water occur : the temperature of which is 

 60°. Fish are abundant about the mouths of these springs, which 

 are like caves ; their waters form one of the heads of the Turnuk, 

 along them Mentha, Gramineae 2, Plantago major, Centaurea mag- 

 nispina, Composite, Trifolium. In the spring Polygonum natans, 

 and P. graminifol., Chara, Cyperacse. 



. . level portion always fine . . 

 • . soil, peculiar. 



Slope. 



YSth. — Gojhan, the distance to this place is 12 miles 6 furlongs : 

 it is not within sight of the Turnuk, though still up the valley of 

 that river, with the same boundaries : a few ravines were crossed 

 but they were not difficult : the road, otherwise level, turning most of 

 them, and capable of easy transit. One small stream was passed, 

 when we encamped on a small cut with excellent water : the banks 

 as usual clovery and grassy ; opposite this are two villages on either 

 side of a gorge in the northern boundary, both apparently fortified ; 

 the one to the north of the gorge is of large size. The country is 

 not shingly, but the soil is mixed with small pebbles ; to our right 

 is a bold hill ; vegetation the same. Bicornigera planta is very com- 

 mon, and a good deal of madder cultivation occurs ; wheat and barley- 

 all cut and thrashed or trodden out : atta selling eight and a half 

 seers the rupee. Thermometer at day break 49°, the west winds 

 continue strong: they arise about 11 a. m. and continue till sunset, 

 sometimes even a little later ; they are not hot. 



This place, and its environs, is one of the most promising looking 

 I have seen ; the whole face of the country being perhaps capable of 

 cultivation. No Joussa seen except perhaps among the cultivated 

 fields ; grass is plentiful enough for a small force, and Boosee likewise. 



