it is covered with masonry, and the descent is by means of steps; the
water passes under large arches, a work worthy of the Mogul emperors.
Sissoo, Peroplocea of Bolan, common. Rotas is an immense irregular
fortress, with the usual faults: it is much too large, and situated on a
rocky plain partially commanded. It must have once contained a large
number of inhabitants. Nelumbium, Potamogeton: half a mile from Rotas
towards Peshawur, a square Serai, enclosing a garden, is passed.

The country immediately about it on the west is open: and well
cultivated: there is but little water in the river. The town or village
is of no size.

Butea not uncommon.

_28th_.--Proceeded to Jhilun. The road is at first steep, as it passes
down along the Rotas river, about three miles from thence it is good,
extending over a plain to the Jhilun. Fine cultivation observed on all
sides, and of various sorts, chiefly _Bajra_ and _Kureel_. Dhah
abundant, but not arborescent, Euonymus, Peganum, _Bheir_, and _Phulahi_,
the latter very dwarfish. Mimosa albispina and Adhatoda very common. The
commonest tree in these countries is _Bheir_, and a very handsome tree it
is; _Nihi-joari_ cultivated.

_Sun_ and _Tel_ occur, the last is very common. Yesterday a new
cultivation presented of a Composite plant, called _Kalizeen_, used as
spice or _musala_ for horses. The birds observed were Haematornis,
Crateropod, Sylvia, Alauda cristata, Alauda alia in flocks.

The town of Jhilun stands immediately on the right bank of the river of
that name, it is a large and flourishing place. The river is about 200
yards broad, not rapid, but here and there deep, and the bed at this
place forms one undivided channel. The right bank on which the town
stands has a stony sloping shore, the left is sandy.

It is a mistake to suppose that the hilly country ceases here, on the
contrary, it crosses the Jhilun. At the ferry this river runs through a
large valley, bounded to the west by hills like those to which we have
been accustomed; to the east it is bounded by a low chain, which runs
parallel with the general course of the river. The valley is open only
to the north and south.

Otters, tortoises, and Mahaseer were seen in the river.

_29th_.--To Sera, twenty-four miles, half the distance extended over the
uncultivated base of the hills, and then over the low range itself, from
which at two points, fine views are obtained of the vast plain of the
Punja