r at 5 A.M. stood at 48 degrees, 49
degrees; at 8 P.M. 75 degrees, 72 degrees, the daily range in the mosque
is from 70 degrees to 80 degrees. Capt. Thomson suggests that the dews
observed here are either confined to, or much greater in the _Chummuns_,
in which the water is very close to the surface, as indicated _inter_
_alia_ by the green turf.

The kinds of grapes are numerous; those earliest ripe are the black, and
a small red kind called _Roucha_; which will be ripe in the latter end of
this moon. _Kismiss_ another sort, comes in July. The _Tahibee_ is the
best kind produced here, and the dearest.

Tobacco is cultivated chiefly along the Arghandab; it is planted about
this season, and gathered in two or three months, and requires to be
watered ten or twelve times.

The barley is now fully ripe, and is generally cut and thrashed in some
places. Pears in gardens are now ripe.

Candahar valley is of great extent to the westward, or south-west and
SSW.

The wasps, with large femora, I observe build their mud nests in houses.
The rarity of Lepidoptera, except perhaps some nocturnal moths, is
curious; Coleoptera are more common, but inconspicuous. Ants are
abundant in the mud walls. A small gnat with large noiseless wings, is
very annoying, and the bite very painful and irritating. Doves, and wild
pigeons are tolerably common, as also crested larks, and swifts.
Abundance of lizards; a venomous snake of brown colour, having an
abruptly attenuated tail.

Every thing that happens shows how credulous, and how unenquiring we are;
and in all cases out of our particular sphere, how extremely apt most are
to give excessive credit, where a moderate only is due. It is a generous
failing which it is difficult to condemn, particularly with regard to our
travellers in this direction. Instance Connolly, and certainly Gerard
whose acquaintance with Burnes and its results demands attention. It is
singular that his name scarcely occurs in Burnes' book, although his
scientific knowledge and MSS. submitted to Government, entitle him to be
considered an observant, and well-informed traveller. Pottinger is
another instance of what I have said above.

The general opinion is, and it is one which I have not discarded
entirely, that he threw himself into Herat, that he was throughout the
siege daily employed in the front of the garrison, and that it is owing
to his personal exertions that Herat was saved. I hear however on go