Cultivation of the valley consists of wheat, barley, Cicer, not chunna, maize, rice, carrots, beans, peas.

The river side is well furnished with willows and poplars, Salix viminea also occurs; the villages are generally square, with a bastion at each corner, and loopholes.  Cyprinus microsquamatus, {383} common.

6th.—­Arghundee, distance eight miles, direction for the first fourth of the way NE., then considerably to the eastward, when we soon left the valley and commenced with an ascent over a low ridge by a vile stony road over undulating ground.  On reaching the ridge a similar descent took place, where the road becomes less stony, but much intersected by ravines.  We encamped about three miles from the ridge, in a rather barren narrow valley.  Nothing of interest occurred on the road, except Dost Mahommud’s guns, which are the best I have seen in the country.  The hills to our north crowded closely together, the inner ranges are very high, with the appearance of snow.

Hindoo-koosh is dimly seen in the distance to the eastward.  In some streams water birds, particularly the small kingfisher of India are seen.  The Hoopoe is common, Merops, Pastor, and ravens.  New plants a Boragineae floribus infundibuliformis, tubiformibus, loeta caeruleis, venosa roseis, melons.  Snow on the Hindoo-koosh:  rain in the afternoon, and at night a heavy thunderstorm to the north.

7th.—­Kilah-i-Kajee, lies one mile to the eastward:  distance of to-day’s march, nine miles? one continued but gradual descent over a bad, frequently very stony road, not much water.  Direction at first ENE., then on descending into the first valley, due east or even to the south of east, we encamped in the centre of a well-cultivated valley; near dense gardens, having good apples; apricots indifferent.  Hindoo-koosh is here more distinctly visible with several ranges interposed; the outline is rugged, highest point presenting a fine conical irregular peak towards the south-east.

8th.—­Halted:  encamped close to gardens and rich cultivation.  The fields are separated by rows of poplars, willows, and Elaeagnus; scenery pretty from abundance of trees with rice fields interspersed among woods; the umbrageous banks of the rocky river of Cabul, are quite of unusual beauty for Afghanistan:  extensive fields of cultivation lie in this direction, as well as across the valley in the direction of Cabul, consisting of rice in great quantities, mixed with much of a Panicum stagninum, lucerne, carrots, peas, quantities of safflower, which appears to me to be of a different species, wheat and barley both cut, the rice is just in flower.

In orchards, hazel-nuts, apples, pears, etc. some of the fruit excellent, particularly pears, but generally they are coarse; apples beautiful to look at, but poor to the taste, excellent but too luscious plums, good grapes, excellent and fine sized peaches, melons as good as those of Candahar, water melons, cherries of very dark colour.