SOORKHAB TO GUNDAMUCK. 



415 



continues the same ; Baloot, or oak, is said to be abundant though I 

 did not see it ; Daphne, and Xanthoxylon, compose the chief shrubby- 

 vegetation ; Saccharum here and there. Small partridge very common. 

 The greatest ascent is 5,600 feet. No grass for forage ; several very 

 small streamlets were passed en route, so that a small party might 

 halt anywhere. 



Hollys. . • • . Oak, Baloot. 



. Thymelsea, Xanthoxylon. 



Jugdulluck. • . • 



• . • Typha abundant. 

 Oaks, are the Baloot of the natives. • . • 



• . • Soorkhab. 

 I t 



The beautiful Himalaya looking range Sofaid-Koh, runs east and 

 west ; it is very high, in the back ranges with very heavy snow on 

 both ridges, and peaks. The view from the pass shows a rapid fall 

 in the country to the eastward, which still continues hilly, and very 

 very bare. Large coarse grapes are had here, also pomegranates : 

 some seedless rice cultivation occurs since we descended to Jugdul- 

 luck. 



\Ath. — We proceeded nine and a quarter miles, throughout until 

 reaching a grove near Gundamuck : the road lay over undulating 

 ground, is more sandy than stony, and in two or three places it is 

 raviny, and requires to be made. Then the road emerges into a fine 

 sort of valley, dipping down to a small stream wjth many sedges. 

 In the bed of the stream, willows occur, and mulberries about it : we 

 then ascended and halted just beyond the ascent. Water and dhoob 

 grass are both plentiful, as well as supplies of grain, pomegranates, 

 and grapes, as yesterday ; Bajree. 



A fine view is obtained of Sofaid-Koh, which forms the southern 

 boundary of the valley ; many villages, with cultivation in a very 

 sandy soil. Small partridge very abundant. A fox observed. The 

 ravines wherever there is water, crowded with Typha, and Saccharum ; 

 oaks are seen in abundance on the mountain to the south ; left the 

 Soorkhab river after fording it near yesterday's camp ; the bridge is 

 quite useless for cattle, as the ground is rocky and broken on this 

 side, no pains having been taken to carry the work to the road. 



