442 



ABSENCE OF USEFUL PLANTS. 



I hope to be particular in hereafter comparing the floras of all the 

 deserts ? and to notice the absurd remarks of some travellers in Khoris- 

 than, on the domesticated parasitic nature of the watermelon plant, 

 on the Hedysarum Alhagi, Shooturkari. 



3rd. — Fine moderate north-east wind, very clear. 

 4th. — Over-clouded. 

 5th. — Rain. 

 6th.— Unsettled. 



7th. — Rain, thunder, distant lightning occasionally last night. 



8th. — Fine : ice in the morning, thermometer five feet from the 

 ground 35° at 7 a. m. 



9th. — Fine diffused clouds last night, succeeded by a strong north- 

 east wind. 



10th.— Fine. 



II th. — Fine in the morning, then threatening. 



12th. — Quite over-clouded, north-east wind. The inferior level of 

 snow is now several hundred feet above that which it was at first. 



Oxalis corniculata in abundance, what an universal plant this is. 



All the natives of these parts wear sandals, those about the 

 Khyber being made of the leaves of a small Chamserops, which is 

 common on the rocks of those mountains. 



A proof of the extreme want of useful plants is seen in the fact, 

 that baskets are scarcely ever seen, all the loads of flour, etc. being 

 invariably carried in skins. 



Leopards' skins for the purpose are obtained from Chugur Serai, 

 Pullung and also Sofaid-Koh. 



1 6th. — The troops marched on their return. A lark very much like 

 the English species occurs in flocks ; it is a stupid bird, although 

 obviously aware of its resemblance to clods of earth, which it makes 

 use of on every occasion when a little frightened. The Gypaetos is 

 also found here ; it feeds principally on carrion. I observed Trichro- 

 droma for the first time here to-day, this bird is by no means a power- 

 ful climber ; indeed the individual seen to-day could only cling, he 

 was- employed about sand banks of the irrigating canals, etc. hopping 

 from one likely spot to another, clinging here and there momentarily, 

 and always aiding himself in his inclined position by a flutter of his 

 wings ; holes seemed always to attract him. It is by no means a shy 

 bird. I should observe however that I have seen this species running 

 up and down cliffs, so that perhaps the rather loose sand would not 

 give firm hold to his claws. 



