GENERAL FEATURES AND PLANTS 



477 



having only one descent to Neemla, and an easy ascent from that 

 place, and thence it is over a gentle declivity to Futtehabad. 



The spurs from the Sofaid-Koh are very numerous, and the ravines 

 they form show the great quantity of water derived from this ridge, 

 their direction is N. 45, E. The direction of the streams after 

 emerging from the lower ridges continues about the same. 



The Cabul and Soorkhab rivers debouche at a much greater angle. 

 Their direction being 95, E. The waters of both are turbid, but those 

 of the latter are reddish. 



Throughout the valley of Jallalabad cultivation extends alone 

 along the streams, many of which are entirely consumed by agri- 

 cultural processes ; in no place does it bear any proportion to the 

 uncultivated portion, which is invariably densely strewed with stones, 

 the smaller of which are generally water-worn ; the larger, masses of 

 angular rock. 



White mulberries ripen in perfection at Gundamuck in the early 

 part of July. There is more cultivation about Khuggur occurring 

 in a continuous and broadish tract, than in almost any other place. 



I observed a curious tendency to anastomosis, or self-grafting in 

 the roots of Morus : this in its young state often has pinnatind 

 artacarpoid leaves. Query, is this a sign of the greater development 

 of Morus ? or is it in any way analogous to that progressive develop- 

 ment existing during the growth of every animated being ? 



At Gundamuck observed Oriolus ; it differs in plumage and voice 

 from the Indian Mango bird, which is a far more beautiful bird, with 

 only one note : Edolius also seen. 



Pastor and the other common birds. Merops was seen soaring over 

 stones, and stooping at insects ; in such situations it remains long 

 on the wing ; it does not appear to perch on any thing but withered 

 branches. 



Composita Senecionoides occurs about Soorkhab, Reaumuria occurs 

 half-way between it and Gundamuck. Capparis continues to Soor- 

 khab. Statices common, also Campanula; and about Jugdulluck a 

 striking Boragineous plant, Boraginiae sp., and on the sandy pass 

 above Barkhab, a Salvia is found in profusion, one of the commonest 

 grasses is Poa cynosuroides ? 



The stem of Hippuris is worth examination, inasmuch as it con- 

 sists of a central easily separable axis, and a vertical system of great 

 thickness, highly cellular, so that judging a priori, as these cells 

 (which are compound) occupy the whole space between the ligneous 



