Query—­Why are Carduaceae, (Artemisia) so adapted to aridity?

The region of Carduaceae, commences about Ghuzni, and extends to Maidan or Cabul, it is at its maximum about Shaikabad and Huftasya.  The abundance of Carduaceae on the higher grounds, as for instance towards Bamean, belong rather to a vernal flora.

I hope to be particular in hereafter comparing the floras of all the deserts? and to notice the absurd remarks of some travellers in Khoristhan, on the domesticated parasitic nature of the watermelon plant, on the Hedysarum Alhagi, Shooturkari.

3rd.—­Fine moderate north-east wind, very clear.

4th.—­Over-clouded.

5th.—­Rain.

6th.—­Unsettled.

7th.—­Rain, thunder, distant lightning occasionally last night.

8th.—­Fine:  ice in the morning, thermometer five feet from the ground 35 degrees at 7 A.M.

9th.—­Fine diffused clouds last night, succeeded by a strong northeast wind.

10th.—­Fine.

11th.—­Fine in the morning, then threatening.

12th.—­Quite over-clouded, north-east wind.  The inferior level of snow is now several hundred feet above that which it was at first.

Oxalis corniculata in abundance, what an universal plant this is.

All the natives of these parts wear sandals, those about the Khyber being made of the leaves of a small Chamaerops, which is common on the rocks of those mountains.

A proof of the extreme want of useful plants is seen in the fact, that baskets are scarcely ever seen, all the loads of flour, etc. being invariably carried in skins.

Leopards’ skins for the purpose are obtained from Chugur Serai, Pullung and also Sofaid-Koh.

16th.—­The troops marched on their return.  A lark very much like the English species occurs in flocks; it is a stupid bird, although obviously aware of its resemblance to clods of earth, which it makes use of on every occasion when a little frightened.  The Gypaetos is also found here; it feeds principally on carrion.  I observed Trichrodroma for the first time here to-day, this bird is by no means a powerful climber; indeed the individual seen to-day could only cling, he was employed about sand banks of the irrigating canals, etc. hopping from one likely spot to another, clinging here and there momentarily, and always aiding himself in his inclined position by a flutter of his wings; holes seemed always to attract him.  It is by no means a shy bird.  I should observe however that I have seen this species running up and down cliffs, so that perhaps the rather loose sand would not give firm hold to his claws.

As I mentioned elsewhere, this bird is allied, at least in analogy to Upupa, it has its precise habit of flight and a good deal of its habits in looking for food, although the Hoopoe pokes about in the ground, or rather hammers the ground alone.  It is however fond of building in holes of walls, it breeds at Punukka, in April.