The low hills were in some cases stratified, the strata in others and perhaps in most were indistinct:  most were rounded, but the outlines at a distance were very diversified.  The novelties today were a fine vesicular calyxed Astragalus, an Isatidea, tulip of red, orange, and yellow, indiscriminately mixed, Papaver Rheas, Cheiranthus lapidium, Asphodels both sorts, but the second and larger one is uncommon, Iris Stacyana very common in sandy places, Iris agrestis, most common about Suddozye, Adonis, and Ranunculus Anemoides occurs.  Snow on north side of Tuckatoo mountain as heavy as on Chiltera; the valley of Pisheen is here a miserable place, narrower than that of Quettah.

9th.—­Advanced to Hykulzyea, distance twelve miles to the town, about eleven through a similar country with that previously noted, and until the expanded part of the valley of Pisheen is entered the aspect is very barren; the road extends between low rounded hills.  After crossing the valley of Hydozyea, three streams are passed, none of any size.  Botanical features continue the same, Santonica being still the prevailing plant.  The curious frutex pluvinatus of Sinab re-occurred, together with an additional subspiny Astragaloid shrub and a small Ruta.  The hills are covered with distinct small shrubs, never coalescing into patches.  Peganum continues in addition to the other plants:  Glaucioides has aqueous juice, Papaver Rheas ditto, the other smooth-leaved one has it slightly milky.

Lycium and Tamarisk 4-fida is rather common:  Hykulzyea is a far larger place than Quettah, but miserably defended.  The houses are very inferior, consisting of thatch and mud.  The cultivation of wheat is rather extensive around.  Many villages are seen towards the hills to the north and NNE.; also one or two forts, but not a tree is to be seen in the valley which is comparatively very large and very level.  The hills to the north have the ordinary appearance; those separating us from the valley of Hydozyea, more especially the lower ranges, are so confused that they look like a chopping sea, and present a red and white colour.  The rock pigeon of Loodianah is common about Hydozyea.  A few novelties occurred in the vegetation, the chief of which being a large Salvoid Labiata, a plant which is very common throughout Khorassan from Sinab in gravelly spots.  Leguminosae, Boragineae, Compositae, Cruciferae, and Labiatae, are the prevailing plants; Salsola tertia not uncommon.  Birds as before, Alauda cristata, and Sylvioides being the most common; no red legged crows were seen.  Rock pigeons are abundant.

10th.—­March to Berumby, distance thirteen miles, the road very bad in one or two places:  the first difficulty being a rather deep ravine, the second a nullah, with water knee-deep, and very high precipitous banks, yet both these had to be passed.  Much of the baggage was not up at the encampment until 5 P.M., although we started at 3 A.M., but the nullah was literally choked up with camels.  No change in the vegetation has appeared, except in the occurrence of large tracts of Tamarisk, which tree reaches to nearly the same size as the Jhow.  Very little cultivation is to be seen; the villages are tolerably numerous, especially near the hills forming the north boundary of the valley.