14 
REPORT ON A BOTANICAL TOUR IN KASHMIR, 1892. 
pine {Pinus excesla). On the slopes facing the north-east these 
forests extend to a considerable elevation mixed with birch and 
willow. There is a path leading up to the head of this valley to a 
pass which separates it from the Chaprot Valley. Numerous glacier- 
fed streams come down into this valley from either side. As 1 had 
only two days to spare for botanical exploration, 1 found it difficult to 
decide as to which route to take on each day, there being so much 
promising-looking ground in every direction. My expectations were 
fulfilled on the first day, and the cooly-load of drying paper which I 
took with me was very soon used up, and the collecting box crammerl 
full of rare specimens long before I had reached any great elevation. 
In fact, owing to the richness of the vegetation and the difficult 
nature of the ground, I managed to get up only to about 2,000 feet 
above my camp. 
I explored another side nullah on the following day (August 5th*, 
and found this one even more difficult. In one place 1 had to circum- 
vent a big waterfall, and by the time I had got round to the top of it 
evening was coming on and rain too. This waterfall was rather a 
remarkable one on account of the rocks of all sizes which were con- 
stantly being carried over the fall. My attention was first attracted 
by the peculiar sound produced by the rattling of the stones. 
I much regretted being obliged to leave this beautiful valley, which 
would require several days for its proper exploration. Ihere was a 
good deal of rain in the night, and all the streams were much swollen 
when I left for Nomah the^ next morning* The river too was very 
high, and the two bridges near’ the village of Nsltar looked very in- 
secure when we passed over them, and one or both must have 
collapsed very soon afterwards. 
On reaching Nomal I was told that the Gilgit bridge‘had been 
carried away,. and 'that the only communication with Gilgit was by 
the rope bridge. The damage done by swollen rivers during these 
few days appears to have been caused by a wave of warm air acting 
over a large extent of country ; for, on my way back to Kashmir, I 
saw in many places signs of the havoc done to roads, bridges, and 
village water-courses, ail of which happened at about the same time. 
At Bunji one of those curious mud streams came down and destroyed 
the water-courses ; and at Rdmgh^t the Dachkat torrent gave much 
trouble. At Harcho, in the Astor Valley, a bridge was carried away 
and in the Kamri Valley a good deal of damage was done. 
In order to escape the heat of the Hunza Valley during the day. I 
left Nomal at about 2 A.M. and reached Gilgit in time for breakfast. 
The rope bridge was a decidedly disagreeable obstacle at the end of 
a long and tiring march- In addition to the sense of insecurity which 
