422 



LA L PORE. 



The country under Sofaid-Koh presents a long strip of cultivation, 

 with many villages : hills barrener than ever, chiefly limestone. Very 

 little snow here observed as on the eastern face of the high peaks 

 of Sofaid-Koh, compared with the quantity visible on the face towards 

 Jallalabad. 



About half-past two, a slight shock of an earthquake was felt, 

 presenting a rumbling noise, very audible, proceeding from east to 

 west. 



Between the village and the river, an extensive strip of level land 

 occurs, with sandy soil well adapted to rice, of which quantities are 

 grown. The crops are now ready for the sickle, and some partly cut : 

 much of this land is occupied by a marsh choked with bulrushes of 

 both sorts, Typha latifolia being the most common ; Cyperacese 

 abound, Marsilea in profusion, Azolla, Mentha, Epilobii sp. as before, 

 Lemna, Valisneria verticillata ? Sium., Sagittaria, Pulicaria, Chara, 

 Lippia, Monniera, Jhow. 



The river runs close under the hills, which are very barren, its 

 course is rapid, cataracts also are of frequent occurrence transmit- 

 ting a great body of water; no fish are visible. Some cotton and 

 maize and Toot cultivation. Furas the only trees. 



The mountains slope off from Sofaid-Koh in distinct groups, and 

 are seen to advantage, broken in some places into undulations : about 

 the centre of the slope an irregular strip of village forts and cul- 

 tivation is extended. The course of the Cabul river in many places 

 is curious ; flowing between singularly round ranges. Snipe common ; 

 quail rare. Erythraea common on moist sward. 



30th. — Proceeded to Lalpore, the country undulating, the road 

 skirting the stony portions of the plain is bad to Hizarnow, three 

 miles from thence it is very stony, thence continuing on the skirts of 

 the hills, which are principally slate, and passing through a small 

 ravine, it then extends over sandy or stony ground, until the Chota 

 Khyber is reached : this is a narrow, but short, and not very steep 

 pass ; slate rocks compose the upper parts, and are entirely disinte- 

 grated, thence they descend at once into the plain opposite Lalpore ; 

 the distance of the march is eleven miles, the road generally decent. 



Much rice cultivation occurs, and much land, it must be confessed, 

 also occupied by marshy ground, Typha, etc. The same plants con- 

 tinue; Butomus trigonifolius not uncommon. 



On the slate rocks of Buttencote Kochia recurs, Heliotropium 

 luteum, Nerioides, and Lycioides of Shikarpore are found. 



