> -ROUTE FROM MUSHED TO HERAT. 673 
Anchusae, appears to be not referrible to any 
genus of the oicier. 'l he‘‘ umuilicus” oc- 
cupies the centre of each carpellum, and is 
surrounded by an osseous elevated margin. 
The origin of this is totally distinct from that 
of Myosotis, and is wholly independent of 
fecundation. The radicle is in addition in- 
ferior. 
The Monocotyledonous forms are chiefly 
those of other parts of India. Among the Or- 
ehidecs two species of Calanthe, and two of 
Pogonia occur, as well as one species of Spir- 
anlhes. Among the Graminese the most in- 
teresting is a Diandrous species of Alopecu- 
rus, which genus is, I believe, new to India; 
at least to any portion of the plains. 
Of the Cyperacese, 1 shall only advert to 
the existence of four species of Carex, two of 
which are, however, from the Abor Hills; a 
third, which was originally sent by Captain 
JpKiNS to Dr. VVallich, appears to be 
widely distributed, extending from Gnwahati 
toJorhdth; thefouith I have Only met with 
about Sadiyd. 
But perhaps the most interesting plants of 
the whole collection are contained among 
those “ incertse sedis,” a division, always to a 
beginner, of great extent. Most of these are 
from the lower ranges of the Abor Hills ; and 
the appearance of these is quite sufficient to 
ensure their being of great interest” 
Art. IV. — Notes on Persia, Tartary, and 
Afghanistan. By Lieut. Col. Mon- 
TBITH, K. L. S. of the Madras 
Engineers. — Madras Journal of Li- 
terature and Science, 1836. 
Defence of British India from Russian 
Invasion. By Captain C. F. Head, 
Queen^s Royal Regiment. 
(Cvntinued from page 428.^ 
Captain Head is of opinion that, if any 
difficulty exists of an army accomplishing 
the march to which we have alluded, it would 
be in crossing a bad road from Astrabad, in 
ascending the mountain pass, and crossing the 
desert beyond it : but these obstacles might 
be avoided, if steps were taken at an early 
season of the year. It must, therefore, be 
admitted that an army, possessing the re- 
sources of the country , might be transplanted 
from the Caspian Sea to Mushed without any 
great privation or delay. At Mushed provi- 
sions are in general plentiful and reasonable. 
From the ready communication between this 
place and the frontier of the Russian empire, 
a force would have little difficulty in com- 
pleting the necessary arrangements for pur- 
suing their route from Mushed through the 
fertile valley that extends the greatest part of 
the way to Herat. Midway between these 
places is a large town, called Toorbutejam, 
the chief place of a fertile and well-peopled 
district. The only obstacle in this route is a 
rocky pass which extends for four miles ; 
there is another route between Mushed and 
Herat, of about 238 miles, by which a 
Russian force can march from Astrabad 
to Herat through a country already as prac- 
ticable as others in the East, and without 
the probability of any material suffering ; 
and arrive at the latter station by a journey 
of 610 miles. There are other routes from 
the Caspian Sea to Herat , which are at all 
times frequented by caravans trading be- 
tween Russia and the East. 
“ The position and resources of Herat 
have already been adverted to ; and to con- 
template its occupation by a rival European 
power, must be a subject for much speculation 
and alarm. The vicinity of that city to the 
Indus, and its communication with different 
places on the banks of that river, by well- 
known and perfectly practicable roads of no 
more than between 700 and 800 miles, would 
produce external and internal agitation, that 
could not fail to endanger a government orga- 
nized like that of India, It will be much the 
safer plan to lay bare the probable conse- 
quences of such a contingency, and make 
preparations to oppose them while there is 
time to do so. There is less objection to this 
mode of treating the subject, because timely 
attention to it and precautionary measures 
may effectually prevent the attempt of Russia 
in any endeavour to reach India ; whilst a 
longer neglect of the British Government to 
establish its influence, if not its power, as far 
as the banks of the Indus, must accelerat,© 
the execution of a project which, in its most 
favourable termination, would be attended 
with large and ruinous expense. 
The remainder of the distance over which 
a force would have to pass from Herat to 
reach the Indus, is included in the kingdom 
of Cabui.” 
The city of Candahar is half way from 
Herat to the Indus. The distance is about 
370 miles. The interjacent country is a vast 
sterile plain, without wood, pasture, corn, 
or habitation, and in many places destitute 
of fresh water. Around Candahar, the coun- 
try is fertile and highly cultivated, the city 
wealthy and flourishing, and fruit and provi- 
sions cheap and abundant. Arrangements 
