ASCENT OF THE HINDOO- KOOSH. 



391 



English Scrophularia were observed to-day at Julraiz. We obtained 

 all provisions cheap at this place, but of very inferior quality compared 

 to Cabul. 



The most common plants are Senecionoides and Plectranthus ; 

 Artemisia? one or two, some Carduacege. Very few novelties occur : 

 hedges of Hippophae and roses, Salvia very common to-day; asses 

 were seen laden with dried Ruwash leaves. 



28th. — To Yonutt, twelve miles, continued for a short distance 

 up the Sir-i-Chushme valley, then we diverged to the north-west, still 

 following the principal streamlet up an easy defile ; on reaching a 

 beautiful kila, differently ornamented from the usual form, we diverg- 

 ed along the same ravine much more to the west. We continued 

 doing so for five or six miles, passing a little cultivation in every 

 possible spot capable of it, and four or five forts. The ascent then 

 commenced to be steeper, still continuing up the watercourse which 

 was very small ; this we soon left, passing over five ridges of easy 

 access, the third being the highest. Barometer 20' 365 : thermometer 

 80° at 10^ a.m. ; after this we descended the 5th ridge or kotal, 200 

 or 300 feet, which is very steep, having a watercourse at its bottom ; 

 direction of stream lies to the north, thence ascending we again des- 

 cended gradually over an open stony ridge, until we reached the 

 fort of Yonutt, where we encamped near a green wet spot, visible for 

 some distance. 



The road here and there was bad owing to stones ; except at the 

 last kotal, or ascent, it was nowhere very steep, but difficult enough 

 for camels, especially up the ascent of the 1st kotal. It lay up a ravine 

 not unlike others we have seen, the ascent being considerable, but 

 gradual, when we left the watercourse, however, we came on a differ- 

 ent country, very elevated (1st kotal not under 10,000 feet), longly 

 undulated, the mountains generally massive, rounded, here and there 

 rising into peaks, especially to the south, near Yonutt, where there is 

 a fine ridge not under 14,000 or 15,000 feet, rugged with spots of 

 snow ; the mountains to north of this are more rounded ; slate and 

 limestone abundant, but not a tree from the base of the 1st ascent. 

 The ascent is very practicable, the road is made, or artificial in many 

 places, soil soft and broken : there is water at seven miles from Sir-i- 

 Chushme, and even at the foot of the 1st kotal, at least there are two 

 or three of the usual villages ; there is one with its wall demolished. 

 Many granite blocks are strewed on the road. For ponies and horses, 

 even laden, the road is very easy, but for draft it is difficult. We 

 experienced a cold cutting west wind from 11 a. m. Grass is plentiful 



