394 



FROM CABUL TO BAMEAN. 



30th. — We continued ascending gradually, crossing a low ridge 

 covered with sward, and then descended to surmount another ridge, 

 which appeared to me to be as high as the top of the Oonnoo. 

 We thence descended, crossing several small ridges ; and, at about the 

 distance of five miles from the commencement of the day's journey, 

 suddenly turned north, entering a gorge of the usual structure, drained 

 by a small stream, and thence came on the Helmund, not much in- 

 creased in size as compared with the point at which we had seen it 

 first, but in a comparatively wide and partly cultivated ravine, con- 

 taining three or four ruined forts. We continued a quarter of a mile 

 down the Helmund, then ascended up a considerable stream through 

 a similar gorge, until we reached an encamping spot, after performing 

 thirteen and a half miles. The barometer at the Helmund stood at 

 21-206, thermometer 63° in sun. 



Kohi-Baba is first seen from the first ridge, but it is seen beauti- 

 fully from the second, and still better from some distance beneath 

 this ; it is a noble three-peaked ridge, the eastern peak is the largest, 

 and of angular, conical shape. The other two are rugged ; the 

 central one is perhaps the highest ; the lower portions cliffy, evi- 

 dently slaty. 



The river up which we came after leaving the Helmund, is fully 

 equal to that in size ; it is very rapid : the ravine is very narrow, occa- 

 sionally widening into swardy spots. We encamped nearly op- 

 posite Kohi-Baba, the conical peak of which here seems a huge 

 rounded mass, with heavy patches of snow, particularly along the 

 northern ridge : the second range to the south is very precipitous 

 and cliffy : at this place a small streamlet falls into the river from the 

 direction of Kohi-Baba. 



No particular change in vegetation is observed : two or three Um- 

 belliferse, a Scrophularia, Geranium, Ranunculus aquaticus, Herba 

 immersa, foliis anguste loratis, Potentilla, Panserina, a new Graminea. 



The most common plants are still Carduacese and Salvia; Rosa 

 occurs also, (Senecionoides ceased sometime before) Statice, Scutel- 

 laria common, Verbascum, Euphorbia linearifolia, Linaria ditto, 

 Mentha: no change in water plants, or in those of the sward, 

 Chenopod. faemin. villos, coarse grass, No. 998, common; the chief 

 new feature is Ruwash, the dead red leaves of which are abundant. 

 Two villages were passed after leaving the Helmund, both ruined, 

 yet all spots cultivated, several with Cicer. Watercourses as high 

 up cliffs and hills as 100 feet above the river. 



