REPORT ON A BOTANICAL TOUR IN KASHMIR, 1893. 
II 
We are now on the main Gilgit road, a few miles from Naugciun, 
where I dismissed my Shigarthang coolies, and got a fresh set to 
take my loads on to Astor the next day. 
On arriving at Naugion 1 found the entire population either play- 
ing, or assisting as spectators, at an exciting game of polo. The 
flat roof of a house served as grandstand, and here the village band 
played a variety of tunes. 
The next day^s march was to Astor, The road for the first few 
miles is very rough and dusty. This is really a piece of the old road, 
the new portion, which is being carried at a higher level, not then 
being open for traflSc. After crossing the Burzil Stream and the 
Astor River, the road ascends to Gurikot where there is a good deal 
of cultivation and many groves of fruit-trees. From here' the new 
road leads by easy gradients to Astor. The edible pine {Pinus Cer^ 
ardlana) is common in this portion of the valley, the elevation being 
about 8,000 feet. The local name is GaroL ' Jumperus exceha is also 
abundant here, and is called chili. 
The scenery of this portion of the valley is remarkable. The 
villages on either side are perched on the slopes of an enormous 
moraine, through which the river has cut a deep channel with high 
precipitous cliffs of moraine debris on either side. Astor itself is high 
above the river. 
The Hollyhock (Althcea rosea) with pure white or mauve-coloured 
flowers is abundant here along the edges of cultivated ground. 
It is not indigenous, and was probably introduced at some time or 
other along with the large white-flowering Iris, for planting over 
graves. 
I remained at Astor for a day, and left on the 26th July for Das- 
kin. After passing the fort the road descends to Harcho, and then 
ascends to Daskin, keeping high above the river, Daskin being con- 
siderably higl^er than Astor. 
The sides of the Astor Valle^ look almost completely bare\of 
vegetation. There are, however, many juniper trees scattered over 
the rocky hill-sides which at a distance gWe the grey colour of the 
rocks a speckled appearance. Some interesting pjants are to be 
found in the rock-crevices, and in the more shady nooks. At eleva- 
tions above 10,000 feet the climate is cool and moist, and the 
vegetation is correspondingly luxuriant. These conditions prevail 
throughout this part of the country, and- up to and beyond Gilgit. 
Nearly every nullah which opens into these hot, dry and compara- 
tively low valleys afford views of forests and green pastures extend- 
ing up to the snow line. 
Beyond Daskin the road still ascending passes through. 
