Hills precisely similar to those already passed, either sandy, easily friable, or conglomerate, held together by sandy cement.  Vegetation continues the same; Baloot, or oak, is said to be abundant though I did not see it; Daphne, and Xanthoxylon, compose the chief shrubby vegetation; Saccharum here and there.  Small partridge very common.  The greatest ascent is 5,600 feet.  No grass for forage; several very small streamlets were passed en route, so that a small party might halt anywhere.

[Ascent and descent Jugdulluck to Soorkhab:  m415.jpg]

The beautiful Himalaya looking range Sofaid-Koh, runs east and west; it is very high, in the back ranges with very heavy snow on both ridges, and peaks.  The view from the pass shows a rapid fall in the country to the eastward, which still continues hilly, and very very bare.  Large coarse grapes are had here, also pomegranates:  some seedless rice cultivation occurs since we descended to Jugdulluck.

14th.—­We proceeded nine and a quarter miles, throughout until reaching a grove near Gundamuck:  the road lay over undulating ground, is more sandy than stony, and in two or three places it is raviny, and requires to be made.  Then the road emerges into a fine sort of valley, dipping down to a small stream with many sedges.  In the bed of the stream, willows occur, and mulberries about it:  we then ascended and halted just beyond the ascent.  Water and dhoob grass are both plentiful, as well as supplies of grain, pomegranates, and grapes, as yesterday; Bajree.

A fine view is obtained of Sofaid-Koh, which forms the southern boundary of the valley; many villages, with cultivation in a very sandy soil.  Small partridge very abundant.  A fox observed.  The ravines wherever there is water, crowded with Typha, and Saccharum; oaks are seen in abundance on the mountain to the south; left the Soorkhab river after fording it near yesterday’s camp; the bridge is quite useless for cattle, as the ground is rocky and broken on this side, no pains having been taken to carry the work to the road; cypresses, planes and mulberry trees in the gardens:  Cannabis, also one patch of cotton cultivation was passed.

No descent, but rather small ascent on the whole, say 200 feet, the ascent from the principal nullah crossed being equal, though much shorter than the descent to it.

[Soorkhab to Gundamuck:  m416.jpg]

15th.—­We halted:  many rivulets descend near us from the Sofaid-Koh; and the water in these is beautifully clear; many villages and mills with several beautiful spots occur, well shaded with trees, poplars, mulberries, and figs.  The objects of cultivation are millet, Indian-corn, rice, and wheat; this last just sprung up:  many bedanah pomegranates, but none I think of superior quality.