rising almost half-way up, and very conspicuous:  four forts are seen in this direction; together with several patches of trees, and a good deal of cultivation, but nothing to what might exist.  Artemisia is the chief shrub; several good springs occur:  clover, and good grass are both abundant for a small party; Joussa in cultivation.  The mountain range to the north is very fine, and apparently of different formation from the others; here and there whitish patches occur.  There is a very evident slope, which is very gradual from the northern range to the peculiar slope of the southern.

Several springs of fine water occur:  the temperature of which is 60 degrees.  Fish are abundant about the mouths of these springs, which are like caves; their waters form one of the heads of the Turnuk, along them Mentha, Gramineae 2, Plantago major, Centaurea magnispina, Compositae, Trifolium.  In the spring Polygonum natans, and P. graminifol., Chara, Cyperacae.

[Peculiar slope:  m368.jpg]

13th.—­Gojhan, the distance to this place is 12 miles 6 furlongs:  it is not within sight of the Turnuk, though still up the valley of that river, with the same boundaries:  a few ravines were crossed but they were not difficult:  the road, otherwise level, turning most of them, and capable of easy transit.  One small stream was passed, when we encamped on a small cut with excellent water:  the banks as usual clovery and grassy; opposite this are two villages on either side of a gorge in the northern boundary, both apparently fortified; the one to the north of the gorge is of large size.  The country is not shingly, but the soil is mixed with small pebbles; to our right is a bold hill; vegetation the same. Bicornigera planta is very common, and a good deal of madder cultivation occurs; wheat and barley all cut and thrashed or trodden out:  atta selling eight and a half seers the rupee.  Thermometer at day break 49 degrees, the west winds continue strong:  they arise about 11 A.M. and continue till sunset, sometimes even a little later; they are not hot.

This place, and its environs, is one of the most promising looking I have seen; the whole face of the country being perhaps capable of cultivation.  No Joussa seen except perhaps among the cultivated fields; grass is plentiful enough for a small force, and Boosee likewise.

Quails were seen on the march at some distance:  it seems to be a great country for potash, and perhaps for camphor, which is evidently abundant in one species of Artemisia.

14th.—­Proceeded to Mookhloor or Chushm-i-Turnuk, twelve and a half miles; direction about NNE.  The country is the same, but the road is more raviny:  certain passes occur about three miles from Gojhan, presenting a fine defile, and some smaller ones afterwards.  Vegetation continues the same.  Artemisiae, Astragali, and Peganum, are most common; observed a new Astragalus.