406 RUINS OF KOJHUK. 



wind prevails up the ravine, commencing about 2 p. m. A curious 

 staircase situated at the corner towards Bamean, ascends through 

 rock, the bottom of which is defended by a bastion and round wall ; 

 near, or close to this a slip has occurred, destroying part of the wall 

 and blocking up one exit. 



Ascended the cliff by the gateway of the Kulloo valley, and found 

 the line of fortifications, with good loop-holes and parapets extend 

 two and a half miles up, a few houses likewise occur. The path leads 

 through the face of the solid rock : abundant defences, with arched 

 buildings occur above : this cliff is almost totally separated from the 

 upper citadel by a ravine : the citadel has four lines of defences sur- 

 mounting a steep ridge with outworks on the Kulloo river, the bed 

 of which is 60 yards broad. 



7th. — Proceeded to Erak, six miles. We crossed the Kulloo-Rood, 

 and immediately ascended its right bank, 100 feet high; then des- 

 cended into the ravine up which we continued, then leaving it we 

 struck over the spur of a high mountain ; the ascent being about 1,000 

 feet, thence we commenced a steep descent, of 5,600 feet into the 

 Erak valley, up which we proceeded for two miles distance and en- 

 camped. From the top of the pass, a fine view is obtained of Kojhuk, 

 and the valley of the Bamean river, presenting a rich and varied sur- 

 face beyond description, with beautifully sculptured rocks, of pur- 

 plish-red colour, which are seen up the Kulloo, close to Kojhuk. 



The hills and ravines are however very barren, nothing but Sal- 

 sola occurs. At the top of the pass a section is partly laid open, 

 shewing a mass of conglomerate, twenty to thirty feet thick, resting 

 on red clay. This conglomerate being less acted on by water than 

 the clay, the rocks often assume curious shapes, and are occasionally 

 even fungiform. 



a, Conglomerate. b, Clay. 



We observed here a new partridge, at least one to which we were not 

 accustomed ; it is almost the size of chakor, black on the back, with 

 a grey neck, and very shy ; chakors abundant here in coveys. The 

 valley of the Erak is very narrow, but well cultivated, and with a 

 good many villages. 



