29th.—­Proceeded to the Turnuk, near Khet-i-Ahkoond, distance fifteen and a half miles.  The country continues the same, no cultivation to be seen before reaching the Turnuk.  The road tolerable, over gravelly or shingly ground:  it was at first level, until we reached a mountain gorge, when it became undulated.  Passed the dry beds of two streams, the second the larger:  its banks were clothed with Vitex instead of Tamarisk.  At the entrance of gorge a fort similar to that of yesterday was passed.  Scarcely any change in vegetation.  Artemisiae one or two, Centaurea spinosa, Salsola cordifolia and aphylla? are the most common plants, Euonymus and Malpighiacea?  Polygonoides, occurred along the nullah, a pretty species of the plant, Antheris globosis petaloideo-terminalis, in profusion in some places, literally colouring the ground:  close to it another very distinct species, foliis connatis, floribus albis, a Rubiaceous crystalline looking plant, another novelty; all the plants about the hills at Candahar continue:  Dianthoid, Statice, Paederia villosa.  Cultivation along the Turnuk, melons in small trenches, the crops are now cut, Jhow or gaz along the bank:  but there is not much water.  The hills around are apparently of limestone, very picturesque, and presenting very fine cliffs.  The valley of the Turnuk is here very narrow, and the country very arid looking, completely burnt up. Joussa rather scarce, doob grass occurs along the river, the water of which is discoloured.

30th.—­Proceeded to Shair-i-Suffa, ten miles and six furlongs.  The country continues the same.  The road extending along the right bank of the Turnuk, over undulating ground for one and a half or two miles, is bad, very narrow, and overhanging the steep bank of the river, scarcely passable for wheel carriages without preparation.  Vegetation continues precisely the same:  little verdure to be seen even along the Turnuk:  the hills desperately barren; a high mound occurs in middle of the valley near our halting place, well adapted for a fort, but unoccupied.  Small fields of cultivation are now seen.  A small species of mullet occurs in the river:  thermometer 101 degrees at 1 P.M. in the tent.

Nothing can exceed the barren aspect of this valley, which is near Khet-i-Ahkoond, but at several miles distance, a few trees are visible in nooks:  the only green along the banks of the river, is occasioned apparently by Tamarisk:  the hills are picturesque, rugged, varied with bold cliffs, the valleys are changed in structure, being now occupied by rounded undulated ground, instead of hollow basins.

[River Turnuk banks:  m363.jpg]