PLANTS, BIRDS, GAMES. 



465 



only broken ones could be found. The ridge and its face is quite, 

 covered with them, they grow singly. Huge masses of micaceous 

 rocks are scattered here and there, some are of gigantic size. 



The Baloot is the next most common tree, but I fancy it does not 

 extend beyond 7,500 feet ; this is in general use for firewood, many 

 of the trees, especially below, are much damaged, and on these the 

 leaves are generally very thorny. Next is the Zaitoon, but it is 

 not common in this direction, although common a mile to the south 

 on the ridge first ascended. The soil is now saturated with snow 

 water, and appears good and plentiful. The want of soil is another 

 reason why the lower ranges are so barren, but this is just the con- 

 trary of what would be expected. 



In spite of the beauty and fineness of these forests, there is still 

 the Khorassan paucity of forms. Many herbaceous plants are doubt- 

 less hid under the snow, but few shrubs were to be seen : the Mespilus 

 of Tazeen being the most common at 6,000 to 7,000 feet, a Thymus, 

 Labiata, Olea fragrans, Ocymoidea, two or three Crucifera ; Sedum 

 pictum observed, and Melanthacese which has fragrant flowers, is very 

 common. The rocks are covered with mosses, Grimmia pulvinaloides, 

 every where in profusion. New forms consist of a fine Tortula 

 and an Anictangioid, with leaves white, and membranous from the 

 middle upwards. 



Birds, a black and white Erythaca, eyes fuscous-brown ; the wood 

 pigeon ; a jay, which is a beautiful bird, irides light brown ; a small 

 woodpecker, with a greenish subcrest ; the Parus ; a thrush not 

 obtained ; Parus cserulens ; a pretty red- crowned small Fringilla, eyes 

 light brown ; common crow, chakor, bearded vulture ; a wren, not 

 obtained, with irides light brown, but with exactly the manners of 

 Troglodytis. Chamserops, Maizurrye used for netting ropes for bed- 

 steads, Viscum of Baloot, used for food of domestic animals. 



Wild goats, sheep, an ass-like animal (GoomashtJ, and a fox which 

 is handsome, of large size, and common. 



8M. — Returned. 



The Kafirs have a game exactly the same as the English leap-frog, 

 called by them Shutruck. They were very much astonished at my 

 understanding it. They are miserable marksmen, and were even at 

 small distances unable to strike a large object, as for instance a hat 

 at twenty yards, although offered a handsome reward ; nor can they 

 shoot at all at long distances. They are in this respect quite below 

 Khasyas and Booteas. 



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