far different from
the usual formation where the valleys occupy the level tract between the
slopes from either boundary range. Neemla is a very confined space for
any thing like the battle said to have taken place here, the rising
grounds inclosing the small space being too much broken for cavalry.

The rocks consist of conglomerate at top, below sandstone, layers of both
alternating near the surface: a break occurs (nearly opposite) in the
hills, this break is minutely undulated. {417} Rock pigeons were seen on
the march by Thomson, and small partridges. I find that though to our
senses there was comparatively but little descent, that the barometer and
thermometer indicate one of 1,500 feet. The Neemla river must be the
boundary between the hot and cold countries alluded to by Burnes.

In spite of this descent, and our small altitude, about 3,000 feet, but
little change if any occurs in the vegetation, and none in the general
features of the country; the Apocynea of Dadur and Bolai (Nerioides) has
re-appeared.

At this season (October), throughout the way we came from Cabul, there is
a curious white efflorescence covering the Shootur Kari, I do not know
what it is, but it is not Conferva. A good deal of forest is seen on
some of the ranges to the north of this, bearing from camp about NNE.,
certainly not firs, perhaps oaks.

_19th_.--Yesterday we went to the Soorkhab, which runs east and west
along the northern boundary of the valley; half the distance down the bed
of this stream the ground is strewed with boulders, thence to the hills,
and excepting the bed of the Soorkhab, is one sheet of cultivation,
consisting of large quantities of cotton and sugar-cane, this latter of
small size, and not very juicy, castor-oil plant, Corchorus (_Pat_),
_Sun_, Tel., radish, and among the other plants cultivated, the Mudar is
common: Nerioides of Dadur; Epilobium sp. is the chief Boreal form. This
is one of the richest districts I have seen.

Trees--Bukkhien, {418} _Furas_, Ficus, Cupressus, with much rice
cultivation.

The vines are trained on mulberries, as Burnes says, or the Lilyoak.
Pomegranates are also to be mentioned among the fruits of this place.

The Soorkhab river is not seen after leaving the place of the same name;
after it crosses the road, it runs due north through the mountains, in a
narrow, almost inaccessible bed; its waters are of a reddish colour.

The villages here are larger, and not so fortifi