e is much increased, much more deep; banks alluvial, steep;
soil deep. Chenopodium sp., very common, but too much eaten up to be
recognized, also Salsolae sp.

Nothing new observed. We passed the break above-mentioned in the
northern hills, whence issues the Coomur Nuddee. Serratuloides very
common in sandy undulations. Porcupines and foxes. Beds of grass in
islands of the river Barikab.

_28th_.--We proceeded to Bankok, twelve and a half miles from the
encamping ground, having turned nearly due south, in order to avoid the
slope, which is seen in this direction from Jallalabad; then a valley,
with low hills on either side, is passed; then the road ascends over
undulating ground, until 500 feet is gained; then a long and gradual
descent is traversed over a very stony plateau.

No water nor cultivation on the road, nothing can exceed its barrenness.
AErua Nerioides, Lycioides, Andropogon albus, are the principal plants on
the plateau; Kochia common, and a few straggling _Bheirs_, small rock
pigeons. Geology unchanged, sandstone and conglomerate, with enormous
boulders.

We passed the gorge through which the Cabul river runs. The road, by
this is said to be only six miles, but is only passable by pedestrians
and horsemen.

One village of some size is situated in the south towards Sofaid-Koh;
from the plateau as well as from our camp, a curious and characteristic
scene is visible to the north, showing a barren lofty range with peculiar
undulations at the base, as well as the isolated hills jutting up above
its surface: the trees and villages being confined to the course of the
river which may be thus traced by its fertility. In this last direction
there is a good deal of _Abadi_, but nothing comparable to that about
Jallalabad.

At camp Serratuloid australasicus, very common, as indeed it was
yesterday; _foliis verticalibus_ in consequence of both surfaces being
stomatose, the base of the leaf is so twisted as to present each surface
equally to the light. It is curious that all such leaves have the veins
prominent on both surfaces, showing a relation between the veins and the
stomata, the more stomata the larger veins.

_29th_.--To Bassoollah, eight and a half miles, the road for guns is good
throughout; better perhaps than any yet met with, from the soil being
sandy. We came by a straighter road, and a very bad one, instead of
diverging to the south, and rounding a range of hills, we entered these,
and