MOOKHLOOR. 



369 



Quails were seen on the march at some distance : it seems to be a 

 great country for potash, and perhaps for camphor, which is evidently 

 abundant in one species of Artemisia. 



14th. — Proceeded to Mookhloor or Chushm-i-Turnuk, twelve and a 

 half miles ; direction about NNE. The country is the same, but the 

 road is more raviny : certain passes occur about three miles from 

 Gojhan, presenting a fine defile, and some smaller ones afterwards. 

 Vegetation continues the same. Artemisia?, Astragali, and Pega- 

 num, are most common ; observed a new Astragalus. The valley is 

 much wider after passing Gojhan ; the southern boundary is not so 

 distinct, owing to the haze : there is not much cultivation which 

 appears to be confined to the slopes under the hills. Mookhloor is 

 situated under a fine limestone cliff ; and an excellent stream of 

 water occurs here, and abundance of fine grass along the humid 

 banks : along this water villages are abundant, they are all fortified. 

 Trees are plentiful, indeed after Candahar and Arghandab, this is 

 the best looking place we have seen : the view is not distinct how- 

 ever, owing to the haze above alluded to : beyond the water, lies a 

 vast and barren plain. Fish are abundant in the stream, and vege- 

 tation luxuriant along its margins. This stream divides into two or 

 three branches, which are all soon choked up with sedges, etc., a cut 

 carries off the greater part of the water, the slope is to the south, or 

 a little to the west of south. 



Typha angustifolia occurs in profusion, Mentha, Cochlearia, 

 Epilobise 2, Calamus abundant, Cyperacese in profusion, Ranuncul. 

 aquatic. Alisma ditto. The vegetation of the plain where we are 

 encamped is chiefly Artemisia. 



loth. — Halted : and I here ascended the hills overhanging the 

 heads of Turnuk where many villages are visible along its branches, 

 fifty may be counted, but it is not known how many of these are in 

 ruins, the villages occur at little distances from each other ; the val- 

 ley is very broad. These hills, which are of conglomerate limestone, 

 except about the upper one-third, which is simple limestone, have no 

 peculiar vegetation. Ficus is the only moderate sized shrub, Aspho- 

 delus, Lameoides, Salvia alia, which must be a beautiful species, Labi- 

 atae csespitosa, Bsehmerioides, Pommereulla, and several grasses, Com- 

 posite, Linaria, Senecionoides glaucescens of Quettah, Dianthoides 

 frutex alius congener, Staticoides alia, Composita Eryngifolia, Eryn- 

 gium, Astragali 2, Umbelliferse 2-3, Hibiscus vel Althaei, Rutae sp., 

 Frutex pistacioides, Sedoides rosaceus, Onosma, Verbascum, Dipsacea, 



3 b 



