cks convey the idea of its volcanic
origin, and give it a look as if it had come out of the furnace. I
cannot make out where the stones so universally found all over the slopes
of the mountains, came from, for very generally they seem water-worn. I
find no great peculiarity in the flora of this side of the range, except
an abundance of odd-looking Chenopodiaceous plants, probably resulting
from the saline saturation of the soil. There is a very singular spring
on the other side of the range, about 11,000 feet above the sea: the
water very clear, with no remarkable taste, but every thing around is
covered with a deposit of a highly ferruginous powder. I shall write
next from the fossil locality, which is said to be about forty miles from
this. I am as stout as ever, but by no means so strong."

* * * * *

_Bamean_: _August 21st_, 1840.

"I am now out of the region of trees, excepting a poplar, of which I will
send you a bit, as the same tree grows in much lower places. The want of
rings in wood is by no means unusual in tropical vegetation. For the
production of rings, some annual check to vegetation is required: their
absence is particularly frequent in climbers. The walnut will not be a
good instance, because even if you can get it from Java, it is a tree
that requires cold, and must consequently be found at considerable
altitudes. Your instances must be taken from subjects that can bear a
great range of climate: you have some in the apricot, vine, etc. I will
not fail in sending you what you want from Cabul, and also from Peshawur,
in which almost the extremes of temperature can be contrasted. I will
also get the woods of apricots, cherries, etc., at the highest elevations
on my road back, as I hope to pass through the grand fruit country of
Affghanistan. No Jungermannias are obtainable in this part, nor anywhere
indeed, except towards the true Himalayas. I do not remember having seen
the pomegranate growing at Cabul: the place is too cold for it. I think
however, I can get some from Khujjah, where snow lies in winter. I leave
for the Provinces early in October, and shall travel 30 miles a day. I
want to get to Seharunpore, 15 or 20 days in advance of my time, as I
must run up to Mussoorie and fish in the Dhoon. I shall be in Calcutta
in all February."

* * * *

_Cabul_: _September 26th_, 1840.

"I despatch to-morrow the first o