l6 REPORT ON A BOTANICAL lOUR IN KASHMIR, 1892. 
The section between Bunji and Gilgit offers at present the great- 
est difficulties, as there are so few villages in the neighbourhood. 
There are, however, several abandoned village sites, where, I am in- 
formed, attempts have been made, after repairing the old water- 
channels, to grow crops. In a dry rocky or sandy country it is 
wonderful how luxuriant the growth of vegetation becomes by irriga- 
tion alone. Every opportunity should therefore be taken to utilize 
any surplus village water, and as far as possible to repair and make 
use of the old water-channels of the abandoned villages. By the use 
of manure, of which there should be an ample supply, considering 
the large number of animals daily passing up and down the road, a 
considerable quantity of green stuff might be rendered available. 
I have reason to believe that large quantities of valuable fodder 
might be prepared locally in the form of silage. Many nutritious 
plants are rejected by animals by reason of the thorns or bristles 
with which they are protected. In a comparatively rainless and rocky 
country like Gilgit this is the usual character of the spontaneous ve- 
getation, The same plants, which only camels or donkeys will touch 
in a fresh stale, would, after being siloed, become palatable and 
wholesome food for ponies as well as for mules. 
I left Gilgit in the afternoon of the loth of August for Mindwar, 
and on the following day rode to Domel in the Indus Valley, close to 
the flying bridge erected by Captain Aylmer, k.E. The views from 
here of Nanga Parbat and Rakapushi are exceedingly fine, and I was 
fortunate in being able tosee the«e wondenu) mountains by moonlight 
as well as at sunset and sunrise. I rode into Bunji the next morning 
and spent the rest of the day there, and collected some plants in the 
evening. 
I rode to Rdmghdt on the following Tnorning (13th August) and 
walked from there to Doain, a steep ascent of 4 000 feet, and on the 
following day explored the ridge above Doian up to 12,00-13,000 feet. 
There were fine views looking over into the Leta and Bulddr nullahs 
and down the Indus Valley towards Childs, A large number of most 
interesting plants were collected in the forest above Doian and on 
the” open parts higher up, the most important discovery being that 
of Pyrola secunda^ a species new to the flora of British India. 
On the 15th I got as far as Harcho, and arrived at Astor on the 
following day. I had to stay here four days to try and recruit 
my health, which had commenced to give way at Gilgit owing to 
extremes of temperature and over-exertion. 
Mr. Blaker, of the firm of Messrs. Spedding, Mitchell & Co.) 
had a permanent camp here, and he gave me much assistance and 
was most kind and hospitable. 
