They are independent, appear to delight in talking of their victories over the Mussulmans, but the oddest peculiarity as compared with Asiatics, is their shaking hands, which was certainly done with us in the European custom.
The limits of the firs, are as strict as those of Baloot, etc., of the latter it may be stated as between 3,500 to 5,600 feet, of the firs between 5,500 and 8,000; what makes me say this is, that at Katoor the mountains are covered with heavy snow, and are naked above, but with heavy pine forest below, and then with forests of Baloot.
5th.—Ascended the hills to about 200 feet above the limits of inferior snow, which may be estimated at about 4,500 feet.
These hills from 3,500 feet and upwards, are well wooded, presenting no peculiarity in the distribution of the woods, which are thin, or thickish only in sheltered parts, down ravines, etc. but presenting a great peculiarity in the small variety of forms, for there are not more than three kinds of trees, and not more than a dozen shrubs: the trees are Baloot, which commence at the base, and ascend to the pines, say a height of 4,000 feet: Zaitoon, which commences at the base, and scarcely extends beyond 5,000 feet, Xanthoxylon, which has a wider range than Zaitoon, is comparatively rare.
The inclination of these hills is steep, but the ascent is not more extraordinarily difficult, they are covered with masses and blocks of rock, which are plentifully clothed with lichens and mosses, but of small variety of species. The more open parts are covered with Andropogoneous grasses; the lemon-grass occurs below.
The shrubs and trees are as follows with their Pushtoo names—
Zanthoxylon, Schneæ khinfuch,
Quercus Baloot, Ichairraye.
Olea, Khoo-unn Zaitoon.
Amygdalus, Budam, Junglee Tulk.
Nanus, Naguhn.
Celtis, Tanghuh.
Cyrtisoid of Bolan, Wooraijoa.
Periploca, Burrara, Banduk.
Cotoneaster of Tazeen, Khurrowa.
Euonymus, Churroghzye.
Dodonæa , Wroolarskye.
Artemisia, Tuhakar.
Rubus, Khusuhurra.
The higher ridges are crowned with beautiful pines; the most common on this side is called Nukhtur, and has not eatable seeds, its timber is in general use—and it is in much vogue for torches.
The Julghozeh also is met with, but rarely. Abundance of firewood.
Ixioides very common, and now in flower, Amygdalus, Budam, also, this is common, and a curious Irideous plant, allied to Crocus; one Arum likewise occurs. Pigeons very wary, mostly of the green sort with whitish wing-coverts; a pretty small-sized Jay occurs, with a jerking bobtailed flight, a strong-billed Parus, of the climbing sub-genus, Chakors common.