So far as I can judge, the flora of this side of
the pass does not differ, but in a few unimportant instances from that of
the Kurzar side. The summit however has a much colder climate, probably
from being exposed on the Kurzar side to an extremely cold and piercing
wind from the Kohi-Baba range. Cnici 2, and Festuca triticoides are the
most common plants, with Arenaria fruticosa, Composita No. 152,
Asphodelus of Erak now nearly passed flower, and some Astragali. But on
this side, Cnici cease almost entirely, although they re-appear lower
down, but only partially, and the top of the pass is covered with the
Statice of Kurzar, and Astragali, among which, that with the flat pod,
winged on the dorsal suture, is the most common. Lower down the same, or
similar features continue, and the only plants limited to this side are a
curious Astragalus, Crotalarioid, Polygonum fruticosa, microphyllum, and
spinosum, a Boraginea like that of Jugdulluck, but much smaller and
decumbent, a Papaveraceae, petalis Papaveris Rhoeadis, with a siliquose
fruit, and Clematis erecta: willow trees (the broad leaved species) occur
here, a large Agrostic grass, Ribes and Symphorema of Erak.

The Affghans appear to cut every plant almost of any size for winter
fodder, even thistles, docks, etc. The purple Lactucoid of Cabul
re-appears, and the curious flat fruit calyxed Boraginea of Shawl both in
abundance. The crops here are not more forward than those at Kurzar; the
fields are _crowded_ with Stellaria, but there is much less Tanacetum;
Geraniums occur in profusion.

Silene fimbriata, is a night flower, withering by 9 A.M.

I found no snow up the left Hajeeguk ravine, and the effect was marked,
namely, that none of the alpine plants are so abundant about it as last
season, when they were in flower, or had passed.

There is on the hills about this ravine, a large burrowing animal,
probably a marmot; it is of a dark colour with tawny rump; when on the
alert it sits on its rump, or rather perhaps raised on the hind legs, and
has the voice of an ordinary Rodentia.

I heard several of these, but saw only one.

Rich botanising is to be had on the swampy ground at the mouth of the
right ravine. Pediculares 2, Silenaceae 3 or 4, Veroniceae 2, Orchis 1,
Ranunculi 2, Junci 2, Carices several, Swertiae 2, one the larger
Solidago, Geranium, Gramineae several, Parnassia of Erak, Campanula, Ruta
odora, etc.

_3rd_.--To Topehee. The vegetation of K