THE
JO RON AE
OF
THE LINNEAN SOCIETY.
BOTANY.
VOL AVL M
L 0] N DON: SOLD AT THE SOCIETY’s AP, ARTMENTS, BURLINGTON HOUSE,
AND BY LONGMANS, GREEN, READER, AN TA AND o e EI V; WILLIAMS AND NORGÁTE. D 1881. 93,
Dates of Publication of the several Numbers included in this Volume.
Nos. {407 pp. 1-122, published August 3, 1880. No. 108, ,, 123-194, 35 October 15, 1880. ,» 109, ,, 195-203, 3 December 31, 1880. » 110, ,, 263-367, 2. February 21, 1881. ~~ » lll ,, 867-419, » April 29, 1881. ».112, ,, 419-473, » Juno 3, 1881. » 113, , 479-525, » July 9, 1881.
Index and contents to Vol. XVIII. were published September 30, 1881, ir commencement of Vol, XIX.
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
LIST OF PAPERS.
Page AITCHISON, JAMES EpwarpT., F.L.S., Surgeon-Major H.M. Bengal
Army. On the Flora of the Kuram Valley, &c., Afghanistan. (Part I.) 1
ALLMAN, Professor GEORGE J., M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., &c. The Anniversary Address of the President for 1880.—Aspects of Vegetation in the Littoral Districts of Provence, the Mari- time Alps, and the Western Extremity of the Ligurian Riviera : a Chapter in the Physiognomy and Distribution of Plants uui rds one a a Ca e T 135
BAKER, JoHN GILBERT, F.R.S., Royal Gardens, Kew. A Synopsis of Aloineæ and Yuccoidew .................... 148 Notes on a Collection of Flowering Plants made by L. Kitch- ing, Esq., in Madagascar in 1879. (Plates VII. & VIII.) .. 264
BENTHAM, GEORGE, F.R.S,
Notes on Orchide®æ. >.. ooien ri- eoe anre ae e pee RE 281 Notes on Cyperaceze ; with special reference to Lestiboudois’s "Fal "on Besavolea Genera... obs lecce erre nn 360
BERKELEY, the Rev. Mires J., M.A., F.R.S. Australian Fungi (Part II.), received principally from Baron F. von Mutiler 1.111 ra a es 383
BiprE, WILLIAM. Remarks on the Indian Coffee-Leaf Disease. (In a letter to JOHN CamERON, F.L.S., Superintendent Bot. Gardens, Bangalore.) 458
Bouws, Harry, F.L.S., and P. MacOwas, B.A. Novitates Capenses: Descriptions of New Plants from the Cape ef Good Hope o. soans tosa ee EE a B... 390
Y
iv Page Brown, N. E., A.L.S., Herbarium Royal Gardens, Kew. On some new Aroideæ; with Observations on other known tore Eart I. (Plates IV EVE) a aa le DER
CAMERON, Jonn, F.L.S,, Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, Bangalore.
Remarks on the Indian Coffee-Leaf Disease. (In a letter from ME WILELAM BIDB) Fe a ee eee eles. 458
CHRISTIE, ALEX. Crara.—See under ÜRAIG-CHRISTIE.
CLARKE, CHARLES Baron, M.A., F.L.S.
On Midian Begonias. (Plates Ett -o-n 114 On Right-hand and Left-hand Contortion. (With 3 woodcuts.) 468 On Arnebia and Macrotomia. (With 3 woodcuts.) .......... 524
Cooke M. C., M.A., A.L.S. The Coffee-Disease in South America. (Plate XVII.) ...... 461
CRAIG-CHRISTIE, ALEX., F.L.S. On the Occurrence of Stipules in Zler Aquifolium ............ 467
Darwin, Francis, F.L.S.
The Theory of the Growth of Cuttings; illustrated by Observa- tions on the Bramble, Rubus fruticosus. (With 2 wood- CAES ee chron ce be users bison dns 406
On the Power possessed by Leaves of placing themselves at Right Angles to the Direction of Incident Light. (With 17 We 0o CUI rs ee ee E Ru COR: cR 420
Dicxtr, Professor Gzorer, M.D., F.L.S. Notes on Algæ from the Amazons and its Tributaries ........ 128
Henstow, the Rev. GEonczE, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. On a Proliferous Condition of Verbascum nigrum, L. (Plates XVI. & XVIL) HorwrEs, Epwanp Moretti, F.L.S. Un Codiolum gregartum, A. Braun... s.o. coeds oe oe 132
MacOway, P., B.A., and H. Borus, F.L.S. Novitates Capenses : Descriptions of New Plants from the Cape of Qood Hope -a od IRL S LE E E. a 390
Masters, MaxwELL T., M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S.
On the Conifers of Japan. (Plates XIX. & XX., and 18 wood- cuts.)
v
Page Morray, Grorer, F.L.S., Assistant in the Botanical Department, British Museum. On the Application of the Results of Pringsheim's recent Researches on Chlorophyll to the Life of the Lichen ...... 147 Pures, WILLIAM, F.L.S. A Revision of the Genus Vibrissea. (Abstract.) ............ 419 TOWNSEND, FREDERICK, M.A., F.L.S. On an Erythrea new to England, from the Isle of Wight and South Coast. (Plate XV) moa a XL rea: bee 398
WATT, Grores, M.D., C.M., F.L.S., Professor of Botany, Bengal Educational Service. Notes on the Vegetation &c. of Chumba State and British Lahoul; with Descriptions of New Species (Plates IX.- RIV) Fis Pot spl ci used verbu beer eae dcr e 368
vi
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE
I. | Br@ontas.—Diagrammatic Sections of fruit, seed, and capsule of i| species of Begonia, in illustration of Mr. C. B. Clarke's paper HL thereon.
Inflorescence and dissections of parts
V. ARIS#MA PENICILLATUM, y of some Aroidex by N. E. Brown.
IV. CRYPTOCORYNE ares. VI. ARISEMA PULCHRUM.
VII. KITCHINGIA GRACILIPES. VIII. RHODOCODON MADAGASCARIENSIS,
Illustrating new Genera of Crassulaces and Liliaces from Mada- gascar, described by Mr. J. G. Baker.
IX. RaNUNCULI— E. sceleratus, var. myosuroides, and R. pangiensis. X. ARABIS PANGIENSIS. XI. Viota—V. serpens and V. canescens. XII. ABABIS BIJUGA. XIII. PEDICULARIS EXIMIA. XIV. AnpiaNTUM WATTI and ANDROSACE MUCRONIFOLIA.
Plants and dissections of parts, being new species and varieties obtained by Dr. G. Watt in the Himalayas.
XV. ERYTHREEE, viz. E. capitata, var. spherocephala, and E. Centaurium,
var. capitata, auct., illustrating Mr. F. Townsend’s paper on an Erythrea new to England.
XVI. } PROLIFEROUS Verbascum nigrum, the malformed flowers described xvii! by the Rev. G. Henslow.
XVIII. Corrrzr-Lrar Disease of South America. Fungiattacking leaves, in illustration of Mr. M. C. Cooke's paper thereon.
XIX. PICEA POLITA. [s.m nics cii eats euim
XX. Apres VEITCHII &c., illustrating Dr. Maxwell Masters's paper on the Conifers of Japan.
ERRATA.
Page 10, line 14 from bottom, for * vaginata” read vaginalis.
”
12 ,, 15 from bottom, for Caleianthemum kashmirianum read Callian- themum cachemirianum.
17 , 14 , top, for“ Hypopytis” read Hypopithys.
283, line 3 from the bottom, and p. 291, line 5 from the bottom, Jor “ Dr. Pfister,” read Dr. Pfitzer.
402, line 10 from bottom, omit ** obtusis."
405, figs. 11, 12, Plate XV., refer to E. Centaurium, var. capitata, auct. ; and note that in fig. 7 of same Plate the artist has accidentally omitted to tip the carpels with the base of the style.
THE JOURNAL
OF
THE LINNEAN SOCIETY.
On the Flora ste Kuram Valley, &c., Afghanistan. By J. E. T. Arrcuison, F.L.S., Surgeon-Major H.M. Bengal Army.
[Read February 19, 1880.]
I. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLORA AND ON THE DisTRICTS TRAYERSED.
1. Introductory Remarks.
In the winter of 1878 I accompanied the troops under General (now Sir Frederick) Roberts’s command during the advance of the Kuram Field Force into the Kuram Valley, at the taking of the Péwárkotal, and during its further advance to near the Shutar-Gardan. From what I then saw of the country it appeared to me to be an interest- ing one in a botanical point of view ; and therefore, early in 1879, I proposed to the Quartermaster-General, Major Collett, that it might prove advantageous to science if some one were appointed to accompany the column in the contemplated advance on Kabul. ` General Roberts at once recommended the proposal to superior authority, which ultimately resulted in my being attached to this force as botanist. I made my arrangements, and joined the force at Kuram on the 14th of April, from which date I commenced to make my collections in earnest. Peace having been proclaimed, no further advance took place. I therefore directed my investi- gations to the flora of the portion of the country enclosed within the red line traced on the map before you (exhibited at reading of paper). LINN, JOURN.—BOTANY, YOL. XVIII. B
2 SURG.-MAJ. J. E, T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
Owing to the massacre in Kabul, and the simultaneous move of the troops to the front, my plans, for the latter end of the season, had to be altered. My collections had to be hurriedly packed and conveyed out of the country, and many of my museum and living specimens were left behind on account of the difficulty of obtaining carriage; besides it seemed probable that my ser- vices as a medical officer would again be required to accompany the army, so that the great point was to succeed in getting my collections deposited in safe keeping. I therefore accompanied them by hurried marches to Thal, and there meeting General Roberts returned by his orders to Alikhél, from which the ad- vance of the army was taking place. Here I received further orders from the General, which were to proceed to England and there collect what information I could during the winter to assist me in the continuance of my work on my return to the force this spring. I arrived in England with my collections on the 29th November, and since then have been at work with them at the Kew Herbarium; and had it not been for the assistance I obtained there, the information I now lay before you could not have been prepared within the time placed at my disposal, as I have to leave England during the first week in March.
To the late much-lamented General Munro I am indebted for the identification and naming of my grasses (this, I believe, was one of the last works on which he was engaged previous to his death) ; to Mr. Boeckeler for naming my Carices; to Mr. Baker, of the Kew Herbarium, for naming and identifying Leguminose and Petaloidee ; to Mr. C. B. Clarke for the naming of my Com- posite ; and to Mr. Hemsley for the great assistance he afforded me in working with me daily. "When it is known that my col- lection consists of 15,000 specimens, belonging to 950 species, some idea can be entertained of the hard work it has entailed upon all engaged upon it, especially when it is taken into consideration that the time was so limited.
2. Geography and General Conformation of the Country.
The collection of plants, regarding which I now write, was made during the summer of 1879 in Afghanistan territory, along the left bank of the Kuram river from Thal to Péwárkotal, and ihence upon the higher plateaux, the basins of the Karaia and Hazárdarakht rivers, tributaries of the Kuram.
Before describing its botanical features I deem it of import-
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 3
ance to give a short outline of the geography and general conformation of the country. To secure, therefore, a ready comprehension of the subject, I shall divide the area over which I have botanized into three sections:—The first comprising that portion of the valley of the Kuram river which lies between Thal and Badishkhél; the second, the left bank of the Kuram from Badishkhél to Péwárkotal; the third, the basins of the Karaia and Hazárdarakht rivers from Péwárkotal to Serátígah. It wil be found that these three geographical sections are coincidently three fairly distinct botanical areas, each having a flora more or less peculiar to itself.
Valley of the Kuram river between Thal and Badishkhél.—The altitude of Thal above the sea-level is 2500 ft., and that of Badish- khél 4000 ft., the distance between the two localities being about 50 miles. The road followed runs along the left bank of the river, occasionally, however, crossing spurs of conglomerate. The course of the river from Badishkhél is south, slightly east ; its bed is wide and shallow, in some places being nearly a mile broad; but at Thal, where the spurs of conglomerate approach on both sides and some igneous rocks also occur, it becomes con- siderably contracted, making it extremely dangerous to ford at any time.
From Badishkhél to Péwarkotal—The course of the Kuram river in this district is almost due east, until reaching Badishkhél, where it suddenly bends to the south. On its right bank it is skirted by a set of low hills scarcely reaching 7000 ft. in elevation. The left bank is likewise at first skirted by similar low hills, along which the road runs. The valley on this side becomes gradually more open, owing to the hills of the Safed-Koh range receding, as it were, from the river, leaving extensive open plains, until at length the distance between the hills and the river attains to fully 8 miles at Kuram, widening still more towards the west.
Kuram is a large village and fortress situated on the left bank of the river, at an altitude of nearly 4800 ft., and is about 20 miles west of Badishkhél. A good view of this part of the country is obtained from the Darwazagai pass, situated 6 miles to the south of Kuram, and at an altitude of nearly 5000 ft. From this point of view the river is seen flowing sluggishly in several channels from west to east, through richly cultivated land watered by ir- rigation. Beyond the cultivation extend vast plains composed of numerous fan-shaped masses intersected by the channels of
B2
4 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
the many streams which form the tributaries of the Kuram from the north. These plains gradually ascend until they are lost in the low hills which form the bases of the Safed-Koh range. These again rapidly rise to an average of 14,000ft., the two highest peaks occupying the extreme ends; that on the east, called Karaia, is 15,400 ft., and that on the west, called Síkarám, is 15,600 ft. in height. From the southern shoulder of the latter a spur runs to the south, reaching almost as far as the Kuram river: this is the Péwárkotal range, forming the western boundary of this area, which for the future will be alluded to as the Kuram District.
Basins of Karaia and Hazárdarakht rivers.—The Péwárkotal range on its eastern aspect presents a precipitous face to the depth of nearly 1500 ft. The summit of the road leading across this range is called the Péwárkotal, or pass of the Péwár, and is 8500 ft. in height. Another spur runs from Síkarám to the west, ending in a peak called Matungé, about 12,700 ft. in height. The country enclosed within these two ranges constitutes the basin of the Karaia river, and is known as the Zariáb District. At Alikhél, distant some 18 miles from the Péwárkotal, the Karaia river joins the Hazárdarakht at an elevation of 7000 ft. The river formed by the union of these two streams subsequently falls into the Kuram. The Hazárdarakht river rises from the western base of Mount Serátigah ; at first its course is north-east for 15 miles, then to the south-east for the same distance, when it joins the Karaia river, as already stated, at Alikhél.
8. Vegetation of the road from Thal to Badishkhél.
The general aspect of the country between Thal and Badishkhél is not a promising one for the botanist. The low hills are bare and treeless, covered with a small meagre jungle, which, however, becomes thicker and of a greater height in the hollows of the country and ravines, where it is protected from the climate and where more moisture is present. Along the river-banks there are a few trees with a large grass; and here, in the vicinity of the river or along irrigation channels, we come across some cultivated trees.
The following shrubs constitute the greater portion of the jungle on the hills :— 4cacia modesta, Tecoma undulata, Sageretia Brandrethiana, Gymnosporia spinosa, a form of Zizyphus vulgaris resembling Z. nummularia, Ehretia aspera, Withania coagulans,
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 5
Periploca aphylla, Adhatoda Vasica, several Grewiæ, and Chamerops Ritchieana.
In the somewhat sheltered localities and ravines Reptonia buxifolia occurs as a small dense tree with very dark green foliage. This completely replaces Olea cuspidata, Wall., which here, except in sacred groves, is not to be found. Pistacia in- tigerrima also occurs, and occasionally P. cabulica, a tree quite new to me, with some bushes of Dodonea.
On the banks of the river are to be found a Tamariz, Dalbergia Sissoo, Nerium odorum, a Saccharum, Zizyphus Jujuba, and Z. osy- phylla, with the following cultivated trees :—Worus alba, Salix acmophylla, another Saliz (near babylonica), and Melia Azederach. Frequently occurring as scandents, amongst the above, are seen Cocculus Leeba, Asparagus sp., and Ephedra sp.
The village of Thal, at an altitude of 2500 ft., is situated in a hollow surrounded by low hills. Thus sheltered from the cold winds of winter, its climate approximates that of the Punjab, to which also its flora assimilates—as, in addition to the planis already mentioned, Salvadora oleoides occurs as a tree, and at one locality Ricinus communis is common. Capparis aphylla, a typical Punjab form, however, does not exist.
As one ascends the river, Punjab hot-country types, such as Dalbergia and Calotropis, accompany one as far as Ahmad-i- Sháma, and are then lost ; and here a more northern flora is first observed, in cultivated trees of Platanus, walnut, Celtis, and the vine as an enormous climber. The changes in the hill-jungle take place much more gradually ; Acacia modesta is the first to be left behind, its place becoming occupied by a small bush (Caragana), with patches of Ebenus stellata.
On reaching the more open valley surrounding the village of Házar Pir, Chamerops Ritchieana is seen for the first time in its full growth, not merely as a handful of leaves attached to a large creeping root, which represents its form on Mt. Tilla and the Salt Range, but developed into a bush of from five to seven feet in height, close masses of which extend for miles across the open plateaux. Frequently, too, it may be seen occurring as a branching tree of from 15 to 25 ft. in height, but then usually when in the vicinity of other trees or buildings.
Here, also, in the rich alluvial soil of the fields, are great clumps of old myrtle, which, from its peculiarly local growth, though occurring in numerous patches, is suggestive of cultivation.
6 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
On approaching Badishkhél, Sophora mollis, a true Punjab and Salt-Range form from an altitude of 2000 ft., Daphne oleoides and Cotoneaster nummularia, outer Himalayan forms from 5000 ft., are seen to mix with the jungle, and at length to form its greater proportion, and they continue characteristic almost to 10,000 ft., in whatever direction I have travelled. Other Salt-Range forms which have been hitherto gradually associating themselves with the above become here more frequent, namely :—Convolvulus lanu- ginosus, growing in hummocks, Onosma echioides, Salvia Moor- croftiana, Astragalus polyacantha, and Otostegia limbata.
The cultivation up to Badishkhél is similar to that of the Kohat district, or to such portions of the Punjab as are cultivated by irrigation. Sorghum vulgare and Penicillaria spicata as field crops cease to occur beyond this limit.
At Badishkhél I noticed one large tree of Pyrus variolosa which was not cultivated. It is to be found probably in some of the valleys in this neighbourhood, as the natives seem well acquainted with it.
4. Vegetation of the road from Badishkhél to the village of Kuram.
The valley is much contracted until it turns fairly to the west, when it rapidly widens, admitting of greatly increased cultivation along the banks of the river. I would here remark that there is no cultivation in the whole Kuram district without irrigation.
The hills on either side of the river consist of boulders, shingle, and conglomerates, interspersed with much broken-up limestone, having on the surface little or no soil, and being scantily clad with a dwarf stunted jungle. This jungle consists chiefly of Zizyphus vulgaris, Periploca, Sageretia, Daphne, Sophora, Cotone- aster, Punica, Dodonea, Chamerops, Withania, Otostegia limbata, Astragalus polyacantha, and amongst them the new types (8) Caragana ? ulicina and Xiphion Stocksii, remarkable for its hand- some deeply purple-coloured flowers, and in its extending its habitat from this to the Hariáb district. Convolvulus lanu- ginosus covers the more open and stoneless ground in great beds, with an occasional Zremostachys (No. 16), a handsome yellow-flowered species. Near villages, plane-trees from 12 to 16 ft. in girth, Melia Azederach (attaining 8 ft. 6 in. in girth)
THE KUBAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 7
Zizyphus, Morus, Eleagnus, and Diospyros, of ordinary size, are all numerous.
On approaching Kuram, gardens become more common around villages, and enclosing them hedges are composed of Eleagnus and Buddleia crispa, Benth. Between the fields Ficus caricoides and an occasional Celtis occur. In the fields themselves Tulipa stellata is to be seen, from its typical form gradually changing to what it is impossible to distinguish from T. chrysantha, Boiss., the deeper yellow form being more common on the dry conglomerate forma- tion. In clay-fields Morea Sisyrynchium abounds, and amongst stems and under bushes, wherever a little soil may have accumu- lated, the turnip-rooted Nepeta with its pretty purplish flowers constantly appears.
5. Vegetation of the Kuram Plains.
Beyond the cultivation to the north extend the Kuram plains, the vegetation of which I shall now describe. These plains, formed from mountain débris deposited to a great depth, are in summer totally devoid of water, whether from permeation or rain. In winter they are covered with snow to a greater or less extent ; and, being also exposed to the extreme heat of a subtropical sun, alternating with blasts of cold wind from the snow-clad hills, their flora must be limited and of a peculiar type.
The plants which occur most frequently are :—Othonopsis inter- media, alarge-flowered yellow composite, with fleshy vertical leaves ; Stachys parviflora, in a very woolly state; Gypsophila Stewartii, occurring in small dense prickly tufts, which in its spring costume is of a mossy green colour, thickly covered with purplish flowers ; several Astragali, namely, anfractuosus, decemjugus, hippocrepidis, leucocephalus, polyacanthus, psilacanthus, strobiliferus, kuramensis, Baker, anganus, ptilocephalus, Baker, and susianus, Boiss., var. (this last occurs in dense clumps, which present a very showy appearance when in full blossom, owing to its bright pink corolla); two new species of Onobrychis, viz. dasycephala, Baker, and mi- croptera, Baker, with very handsome flowers; a large-flowered Scabiosa (no. 82), also probably new, and equally common with it Scabiosa Olivierii and Aster altaicus. Where there is much clay and fewer stones Gymnandra armena carpets the ground with its exquisite little flowers ; it is common from this to the Péwár- kotal, where it will be again noticed. Thymus Serpyllum and Convolvulus lanuginosus are common, and here and there the large
8 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
yellow flowers of Scorzonera mollis are to be seen, apparently for its maintenance collecting a supply of moisture in its bulbous roots.
In the more sheltered parts and hollows are to be found some occasional patches of Ebenus stellata, Buddleia crispa, with a stunted unrecognizable Berberis, and our steady friends the Sophora, Daphne, Cotoneaster, and Perowskia. In the deep cuttings of the winter torrents, on their shady side, Isatis tinctoria, with its large cabbage-like leaves, appears conspicuous : it is well known, being employed in dyeing by the natives ; indeed this fact guided me in recognizing the plant. Besides these Salvia glutinosa and S. rhytidea occur (both handsome in their way, and usually in the very centre of the dry watercourse), Verbascum T'hapsus aud V. eriantha are common, the latter more prominent from its branch- ing inflorescence.
To certain localities on these plains water is conducted from long distances and run into tanks, where it is collected for the use of the cattle and sheep which graze in their vicinity. Attempts have been made to obtain water by digging wells, but, owing to
the great depth of the gravel-deposit, these efforts have always ended in failure.
6. Vegetation of the Flanks of the Safed Koh.
Along the base of the Safed-Koh range numerous valleys are seen debouching upon these plains. At these openings, and where the water from the outcoming streams can be utilized for culti- vation, the largest villages of the Kuram district occur. The most important of these is Shálizán, situated about ten miles north-west of Kuram at an altitude of 6300 feet. It is composed of several small villages occupying either side of the Durban stream, the size of each village depending upon the amount of water available for cultivation. Until one has actually seen the arboreous and field cultivation that exists here, it is impossible to credit it, reminding one more of some of the best parts of Kash- mir than what one would expect so nearto the sterile plains just alluded to.
This extreme fertility is no doubt due to the richness of the soil, abundance of water, the favoured position (sheltered, as it is, from the predominating bleak winds by the closely encircling hills), and to the resulting mildness of its climate.
The characteristic trees found here are :—the Oriental plane,
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 9
having a girth of from 14 to 25 feet, one old tree measuring 33 feet ; the walnut, many trees of which average 12 feet, and there is one exceptional tree 17 feet ; the Amlok (Diospyrus Lotus), very numerous, tall, but of no great girth. These, with an occasional large mulberry, form extensive groves spread irregularly through the villages, the plane being grown for its shade and shelter, the walnut and * Amlok ” for their fruits, which form a considerable portion of the food of the inhabitants during winter.
Orchards are common, and contain the following trees, viz. apricot, plum, apple, grape, quince, and .Z/eagnus. From all of these fairly good fruit is obtained, but not equal to that im- ported from the Kabul direction. The pear, peach, pomegranate, and cherry are exceptional. I do not remember having met with the almond cultivated.
In gardens and near shrines Rosa damascena, R. Webbiana, R. Eglanteria, Iris pallida, and Althea rosea are cultivated, with Melia Azederach, the olive, Celtis, and an .Eleagnus, the flowers of which are sweetly scented.
The soil yields two crops during the year, the first being barley, wheat, and clover, the second rice, maize, and one of the millets. Cotton is only grown in the more southern parts of the district to the east of Kuram. Tobacco and opium may be considered garden produce.
The clover cultivated is Trifolium resupinatum, the seed of which is obtained from the Hariáb district, because that produced in the Kuram district, it is said, does not germinate.
In the wheat-fields, growing as if it were a weed, and considered as such by the natives, is what has been identified as Secale Cereale, (common rye). This in time almost extirpates the wheat, and is considered injurious as food. It does not occur in fields of barley, because that crop ripens before the seed of the rye can come to maturity. As vegetables the natives cultivate onions, beetroot, turnips, radishes, brinjals, red pepper, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, and water-melons. The whole of the land irrigated is carefully terraced ; and in many places, to protect the water-chan- nels or to guide the streams towards these channels, willows are planted; those in the Kuram district are S. acmophylla and a species near babylonica, and occasionally Populus alba, with its variety denudata. Hedges are common, usually consisting of Prunus, Eleagnus, and sometimes, but rarely, of Zizyphus vulgaris, which for this purpose is much more common near Kuram. Under the
10 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
shade of the cultivated trees, Stipa sibirica is profuse, and is well known as a grass poisonous to horses and cattle. It occurs in similar localities throughout the Kuram district, extending as far west and up to the Péwárkotal.
The directly ‘southern exposure of the Safed-Koh range up to an altitude of 7500 feet is devoid of forest, and nearly bare of any thing like an undergrowth. The few occasional trees which are to be found consist solely of Pistacia integerrima and P. cabulica ; and forming the little serub-jungle, there are our companions throughout, the Daphne, Sophora, Punica, Cotoneaster, a Berberis, Berchemia, a variety at least (if notza new species) of Cotoneaster nummularia, Rhamnus persica, Rhus Cotinus, Syringa persica, Caragana brevissima, and frequently mixing with them Morina persica. On all other exposures, except that directly facing the south, or when in the vicinity of water, a luxuriant vegetation exists, amongst which are many Himalayan forms. Here we first meet with Quercus lex, from a shrub to a large tree, which is found growing in dry localities, often in isolation, as will be hereafter seen; also Fothergilla involucrata, largely employed in the construction of wattle and dab houses and of fences ; Cotoneaster bacillaris, Buddleia, Desmodium tiligfolium, Jasminum officinale and J. revolutum, Lonicera quinquelocularis, Abelia tri ora, Vibur- num cotinifolium, Rhamnus purpureus and R. dahuricus, with patches of Amygdalus. Creeping through the above occurs Rosa Webbiana, R. moschata, and Dioscorea deltoidea, several Asparagi ; and close on the ground, in thick clusters, Smilax vaginata and Hedera Helix, which, curiously enough, does not attach itself to the trunks of trees. Occasionally Polygonatum multiflorum and P. verticillatum are to be met with. In the more open and dry localities, but still near water, as along irrigation channels, occur Indigofera Gerardiana, Plectranthus rugosus, and Perowskia atriplicifolia, which is met with frequently in great masses by itself, and when in full blossom presents a most attractive appearance.
7. Vegetation of the Valleys of Safed Koh. To give an idea of the vegetation of the interior of these hills, I shall allude to a few of the more characteristic forms which occur in the flora of the Shéndtoi valley, which opens out upon the plains about four miles to the east of Shálizán. In the ridges and ravines which intersect the country between Shálizán and
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 11
the Shéndtoi valley, Prunus Jacquemontii and Berchemia, sp., are very characteristic. On the left bank of the Shéndtoi river, at the mouth of the valley, lies the village of Katskallé, consisting of some fifteen to twenty houses. Owing to the limited supply of water in the river during the hot months, much of the land here lies uncultivated, and ruins of villages are to be seen scattered about. The bed of the stream here has an altitude of nearly 6800 feet. The entrance up the valley leads through a deep narrow gorge with overhanging precipitous cliffs of great height, consisting chiefly of limestone and slate. Here, on the right bank of the stream, the rocks are seen covered with moss-like masses of Selaginella sanguinolenta, Dionysia tapetodes, both Siberian types, a new Sacifraga, Aster Amellus, prominent from its large white flowers ; and, hanging from the crevices in bunches, a luxuriant undescribed grass (Avena oligostachya, Munro, MS.).
As the valley widens largish trees of the walnut in a wild state occur, and with it Euonymus fimbriatus, Rhamnus purpureus and R. dahuricus, Fothergilla, Staphylea emodi, and Syringa emodi, with pure white flowers. Itis curious to note that the last- named plant occupies always a higher position than its congener S. persica, and that the two never seem to mingle. At about 8000 feet, Prunus Padus, Taxus baccata, Pinus excelsa, Abies Smithiana, and Quercus Ilex begin to form a forest. At 9000 feet Quercus Ilex disappears, to be replaced by Q. semecarpifolia, which in this valley attains to a great size. There is one tree lying cut close to the old encampment of the 23rd Pioneers, which measured 18 feet in circumference and 100 feet in length before any considerable branch was given off.
On the ridges the forest is increased by Abies Webbiana; no Deodar or Juniperus excelsa occur in this valley. From 8000 to 10,000 feet the valley is characterized by the number of its ferns, signifying a certain humidity of climate not to be met with in any other part of the country visited. The following frequently occur: —Cystopteris fragilis, Asplenium septentrionale, A. viride, A. Tri- chomanes, A. varians, A. fontanum. The most remarkable Fern col- lected, however, was Nephrodium rigidum, Desv., which now for the first time has been undoubtedly proved to be an Afghan form. This is here very profuse under the shelter of trees or between large boulders. At an elevation of 10,000 feet, Aspidium Pres- cottianum and Nephrodium barbigerum are not uncommon; the form of the latter which occurs here seems to unite the two species N. barbigerum and N. Brunonianum. On the rocks occa-
12 SURG.-MAJ. J. E, T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
sionally at 7000 feet, but more commonly from 8000 to 9000 feet, occurs Rhododendron afghanicum, a new species, remarkable from the fact of its being a native of a country hitherto con- sidered as unlikely to yield Rhododendrons, far less any new species. It is poisonous to goats, and is reluctantly handled by the natives.
Ulmus campestris, as a good-sized tree, occurs up to 9000 feet ; its wood is valued for making the rough wooden dishes used by the people. Amongst the forest, from 10,000 feet to a little above this limit, Betula Bhojpattra, with Pyrus Aucuparia and P. lanata,
are not uncommon. The bark of the Betula is not employed for any economie purpose.
8. Vegetation of Safed Koh at elevations of 8000-11,000 feet.
The following shrubs and herbs occur at about 10,000 feet, chiefly in the bed of the valley:—A new species of Pertya, a common bush (a rare Japan and Chinese genus), called P. Aitchisonii by C. B. Clarke; Lonicera sericea and Myrtillus ; and in the clefts of the limestone rocks, Wulfenia Amherstiana and a Veronica near Teucriwm, both remarkable for their respective forms of bright inflorescence ; several Silenes, Pri- mula rosea, Geranium Wallichii and nepalense, Impatiens am- phorata, and some species of Pedicularis. At and a little above this height, also in the clefts of the rocks, more particu- larly at a place known as the Marble gorge, Isopyrum grandi- Jlorum and Polypodium clathratum of Clarke are found. Amongst turf, at 11,000 feet, Caleianthemum kashmirianum, Aconitum Napellus var. rotundifolium, with Botrychium Lunaria, occur in great abundance, and about the same place, but on moss-covered stones, Cryptogramma crispa.
The limit of forest is usually reached at 11,000 feet; in favoured localities, however, single trees not unfrequently exist up to 12,000 feet. Pinus excelsa and Abies Webbiana are the two trees which alone occur as dwarf specimens at the highest altitude. Here a bush-jungle begins gradually to replace the forest trees, chiefly composed of Salix elegans, S. grisea, with another new Rhododendron, a large spreading shrub resembling R. campanulatum in its mode of growth, and remarkable for the heavy aromatic odour emitted from its leaves. The natives wear occasionally a bunch of these leaves stuck in their turban in lieu of flowers, and when dried
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 13
employ them as snuff. These bushes in some localities form such dense thickets that it is almost impossible to work one’s way through them. Occasional bushes of Ribes Grossularia and J|. rubrum may be seen on the margin of the forest, where also Juniperus communis occurs in great flattened isolated patches. Rheum Moorcroftianum is common on exposed ridges formed of loose débris, and with it, but more generally in the hollows, Polygonum rumicifolium. The bush-jungle rarely ascends beyond an altitude of 12,000 feet, whence, to the crest of the Shéndtoi ridge, which is at its lowest 12,000 feet, there is little or no vegetation except a species of Draba, Allium senescens, and Rheum Moorcroftianum, with a few grasses and a Carex.
9. Vegetation from Shálizán to the Péwárkotal.
Two miles above Shálizán the Durban river is joined on its right bank by the Gandháo stream, which has its source from the eastern spurs of Sikárám. On its left bank is the village of Kaiwás, in the hills to the north of which, at an altitude of 10,000 feet, and under the western shade of some huge rocks, T obtained Clematis Robertsiana, a new and handsome species with the largest flowers of the genus. Beside it, but growing on the face of the rock, Potentilla Collettiana, also a new species with Sibbaldia-like leaves and brilliant yellow flowers, and Eritrichium sericeum in great beauty. In this valley, and to the west of it, there is no Taxus baccata; the Deodar and Juniperus excelsa occur as isolated trees, but rapidly increase towards the west, where they form forests. At the junction of the two streams and between them is situated the village of Karríkalla, on the lands of which it is said some crops are raised without irrigation, viz. barley, wheat, Setaria, and Panicum.
From Shálizán to the Péwárkotal, a distanee of some fifteen miles, the first part of the road lies along the edge of the low hills, which are here composed of a coarse slate. From amongst these springs of water issue at intervals, but which, in reach- ing the gravel and conglomerate formation, suddenly disappear. At some of these spring-heads I found Zpipactis veratrifolia, a small Peristylus, with Primula denticulata, var., and Androsace incisa. On the eastern exposure of these hills, and in the vici- nity of springs, I noticed the plane-tree occurring as if natu- ralized, and which did not seem to spread downwards following the water, whilst the youpger trees occurred higher up the hill, in
14 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
places where ‘they could never have been planted, to an alti- tude of 7000 feet. The same peculiarity I observed in Kashmir on the western face of the Tukt-i-Sulimán. There is a sacred grove of trees surrounding a shrine at one of the largest of these springs, in which is a Cupressus sempervirens of great height and measuring 6 feet in cireumference, forming a landmark to the surrounding country. Here also are some magnificent trees of a distinct form of Populus nigra, the leaves of which are miniature ones. This I subsequently found in great numbers cultivated in the Hariáb district. It occurs as a tree fully 100 feet in height, with a girth of 10 feet 6 inches. The road now crosses over some of the plain country until it reaches the Afghan cantonment of Habíbkalla, situated at an altitude of 6550 feet. From this the road leads westward to the Péwárkotal, erossing, in the imme- diate vicinity of Habibkalla, the bed of the Spíngháo river, elose to whieh is a large cultivated Populus alba, 10 feet in girth. From this point the road at first passes through nearly three miles of cultivation, belonging to the village of Péwár; it then winds amongst spurs and ravines chiefly of limestone. Here commences a thicket of stunted Quercus Ilex, upon the branches of which two species of Viscum grow, with a few other shrubs, the most interesting amongst them being a new yellow rose, its first appearance, Rosa Ecc, mihi, a stiff upright bush; and climb- ing over the Quercus Ilex, Lonicera Griffithii, one of the grandest things, when in flower, that I have seen here, the contrast being very fine between the enormous bunches of rose-pink flowers and the dark green foliage of the oak. Of course Sophora, Cotoneaster, and Daphne still occur, but in greater luxuriance. Under the dense shade of the oaks, and growing close into the roots, is a species of Cephalanthera, which is very common. At 7000 feet occasional trees of Deodar and Juniperus excelsa are to be seen; and on the precipitous ascent to the Kotal these two trees soon form, with Quercus Ilex, a forest; and on the roadside one or two specimens of Fraxinus Moorcroftiana are passed. Only when close to the top of the ascent do Abies Smithiana and Pinus excelsa join the forest.
The Péwarkotal having been reached, a dense forest is seen to occupy its ridges, consisting chiefly of Deodar with Abies Smithi- ana and Pinus excelsa. In certain localities, as on the crests through the most dense part of the forest, Abies Webbiana occurs, and Juniperus excelsa is common on the more northern and open
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 15
exposures. There is little or no undergrowth; if any, it con- sists of Quercus Ilex, or more generally of Q. semecarpifolia, with occasional shrubs of Sophora, Daphne, and Cotoneaster. The drainage from the west of the Péwarkotal, as previously men- tioned, falls into and forms the Karaia river, so that the Hariáb district is now entered upon. To the north, between the Spin- gháokotal and the Péwar, the ridges of the hills are found to be separated by smal] meadows resembling in miniature the “ mergs ”’ of Kashmir. These are covered with a thick close sward consist- ing chiefly of Gymnandra stolonifera and Cousinia racemosa, which latter seems to be kept down to this tufted form by the grazing of sheep. Here early in the season, from under the melting snow, Merendera persica grows plentifully. On the left bank of the Karaia river there is little or no cultivation ; on the right bank, however, there is a considerable amount, owing to the country being much more open, consisting of a numerous succession of plateaux.
10. Vegetation of the Hariáb District.
The climate of the Hariáb district, owing to its altitude, is much colder and drier than that of the Kuram, with a more severe winter. The land produces but one crop during the year, viz. of wheat, barley, maize, rice, two millets (Setaria italica, Panicum miliaceum), pulses ((Ervum Ervilea, Phaseolus vulgaris, Glycine Soja), earrots, and clover (Zrifolium resupinatum), a few of the Cucurbi- taces, and a little tobacco. Near villages are orchards of apricot, plum, and apple, with a few walnut-trees. Gardens are unknown ; hence there are no vegetables. The palm, Celtis, Diospyros, and vine do not grow at this altitude; but occasionally a few mulberry- trees of no great size are to be seen. Cultivated along water- courses for their protection, Salix sp. near sericocarpa, Anders., a large tree with weeping branches; S. sp., a small tree or large bush; and S. angustifolia. The two latter are also quite wild in the streams which run down from the hills, but not so in the open river-bed. Along with these Populus nigra, var., is by no means uncommon, cultivated, and perhaps wild. Near villages hedges are common of El@agnus, Rosa anserinefolia, R. Eglanteria, R. canina, and more rarely of Hippophae: climbing over them one very frequently meets Bryonia dioica, a western form which extends as far east as Lahul in the Himalaya.
On the outskirts of villages, Hyoscyamus niger, Conium macula-
16 SURG.-MAJ, J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
tum (for the first time found east of Persia), Onopordum Acanthium (an enormous thistle), and Solanum duleamara (growing, as in Bri- tain, through hedges). On uncultivated clay-fields are found Matri- caria disciformis, Carum Bulbocastanum, and a variety of the latter (a favourite food of the wild pig,which is productive of much destruc- tion to cultivated crops when it occurs plentifully amongst them), Artemisia Tournefortii (remarkable for its tall Cannabis-like ap- pearance), with Xanthium Strumarium. The uncultivated ridges and plateaux of conglomerate formation in the open country are covered with a scanty dwarf vegetation consisting of the follow- ing :—Juniperus excelsa; Amygdalus eburnea, occurring in great clusters, and when in flower, the bushes being leafless at the time, presenting a lovely mass of peach colour, and hence well worth cultivating; Crategus Oxycantha, seen sometimes as a good-sized tree, but then near villages or in fields; Rosa Ece, several Berberis, the Daphne, Sophora, and here both the forms of Cotoneaster nummularia. Phlomis kashmiriana, when in full bloom, is extremely attractive. A Trichodesma, probably a new species, has magnificent large blue borage-like flowers. Sophora alopecu- roides is found in profusion, but only at one locality, and that near Alikhél; Seutellaria, no. 537, is very characteristic from its long tubular yellow flowers tipped with purple; Lactuca orientalis and LL. viminea are both very common and remarkable for their woody and apparently leafless stems ; Cousinias are also com- mon, C. racemosa being here the most frequent; Aster altaicus, Carduus acanthoides, Pterocephalus speciosus (a very handsome plant), with Scabiosa Olivierii and Atractylis cuneata, are charac- teristic, together with several Artemisia.
Growing abundantly throughout this scrub-jungle, and readily detected in the early spring from the vivid green of its leaves, and later on by the brilliancy of its yellow flowers, is Eremurus au- rantiacus, a plant which may be considered as the vegetable proper of the Hariáb distriet. Also growing among the roots of many of these bushes are Anemone biflora with exquisite flowers, Arum Griffithii, and, following them a little later in the season, Fritil- laria imperialis, Tulipa stellata, and T. chrysantha, with several Gageas, besides everywhere Isatis tinctoria. Near Bidnkhél, a large village on the right bank of the Karaia about four miles to the north-east of Alikhél, is a piece of meadow-land watered by many springs, on which I found several localized plants :— Qera- nium, sp., no. 600, Gentiana aquatica?, Glauz maritima, Erythrea
TIE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 17
ramosissima, Ononis arvensis, Triglochin palustre, Orchis latifolia, Primula denticulata, Tussilago Farfara, Swertia petiolata, and Ophelia cordata. Near this Taraxacum montanum is found, as well as in one or two other localities.
Under the shelter of forests, chiefly along the lateral ravines in which the tributaries of the Karaia flow, a variety of shrubs and other plants are found which are more or less local; as, for in- stance, Prunus Jacquemontii, Ribes orientale and R. Grossularia, Lonicera Griffithii, Fraxinus Moorcroftiana, two species of Ephe- dra, and a Leptorhabdos near virgata. In the forest near the Péwárkotal Eremostachys speciosa is occasionally met with—a Central-Asian type, a very woolly plant with large yellow flowers on a shortened spike almost growing from the root-stock. Under Picea Smithiana, apparently parasitical upon it, Hypopytis lanu- ginosa; and on limestone débris Althea rosea. I here first found a Nepeta near teucrifolia, which extends from this through- out the Hariáb district to Káratigah. Phlomis spectabilis, on the margin of the forest near the cantonments, is extremely handsome; and underneath the trees, where one would expect little to grow, Astragalus verticillatus (collected also on the exposed southern face of the lower hills near Shálizán), with 4. rhizanthus, is very characteristic, and which at first, on finding the leaves only, I mistook for a Rubiaceous plant.
The rocks of the Hariáb district are covered with the follow- ing plants:—Dionysia tapetodes, being the most characteristic, from its frequency and moss-like habit and its profusion of bright yellow flowers (some of the plants of this seem to have reached a great age, as I have seen a woody root-stock over 6 inches in circumference); Parietaria officinalis and P. debilis; Campanula sp., no. 541; Seseli sibiricum, remarkable for its stiff erect appearance, generally found in the most inaccessible locali- ties ; Microrhynchus aspleniifolia and Asplenium Ruta-muraria, which latter may be considered the only fern of the Hariáb dis- trict up to 11,000 feet, although in one instance on limestone I picked up a good specimen of Ceterach, and heard of a species of Adiantum near water at Alikhél. Specimens of 4. Trichomanes
and A. septentrionale are very uncommon. 11. Vegetation of the spurs of the Péwárkotal, Alikhél, and around Sikardm up to an altitude of 18,000 feet.
On the spurs of the Péwárkotal between Zabardastkalla and LINN. JOURN.— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII. c
18 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
Alikhél, and on the hills between Síkarám and Matüngé up to nearly 10,000 feet, the forest becomes much thinner, and is greatly altered in appearance, owing to the occurrence of Pinus Gerard- iana*. All the more open parts of the country when there is forest is now covered chiefly with this pine, deodar, and Juniperus excelsa; the other trees—viz. Pinus excelsa, Abies Webbiana, and Picea Smithiana—occurring rather in the in- terior of the hills, or on the ridges which reach an altitude of 10,000 ft. Gerard’s pine is distinguished at once by the peculiar character of its trunk and branches, which much more resemble those of a stout stunted beech than of a pine. The bark is of light grey colour, which, on close inspection, presents a gene- rally mottled appearance of various hues, produced by the irre- gular manner in which the outer layers.are shed. It is celebrated for its edible nuts, largely used as food by the natives, and which are an article of export from other parts of the country to India.
Along the range which extends westward from Síkarám to Ma- túngé I obtained a new species of Eremurus (a very fine plant with large hollow leaves) and a Chorispora near tenella, DC.
On two occasions I explored the Hazárdarakht river as far a8 Káratígah on the road towards Kabul; and during my first visit I ascended one ofthe peaks of Serátígah, the highest of which has an altitude of 13,600 feet. The distance between Alikhél and Káratigah is about twenty-five miles, the road leading along the bed of the Hazárdarakht stream. The valley of this river nearly as far up as Rokían is open and well eultivated ; beyond this, however, it suddenly becomes contracted, and any little eultivation there may be occurs in the lateral valleys, and not along the main stream. Beyond Drékalla eultivation ceases. The altitudes of the above localities are :—Rokian, 7550 feet; Drékalla, 8000 feet ; Káratígah, 9400 feet. On this route the fol- lowing plants were collected :—Near Alikhél, on the plateaux of the river, Ruta acutifolia, DC.; near Rokian, Acer, probably campestre, a medium-sized tree, but neither flower nor fruit were seen: this is the only Acer I have obtained. As a tall woody shrub overhanging the river, no. 852, Amygdalus Sp» the fruit of which, in its colour and appearance, resembles less the fruit of the almond than the peach. At Drékalla in one locality there exists a scrub-jungle consisting of Juni- perus excelsa, several Caragane, Sophora, both forms of Coto- neaster nummularia, Daphne, Amygdalus eburnea, Rosa Ece,
* Ten feet in girth by forty in height is an exceptional tree.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 19
two or three species of Berberis, a little Quercus Ilex, Lonicera Griffithii, with several Artemisias. Amongst the stony débris on the ridges above the river Rheum Ribes is very common; but, strange to say, I could procure no specimens of R. Moor- croftianum. Near the rhubarb, Convolvulus pseudocantabrica and the two Eremuri were common. On the banks of the river, close to the angle near Drékalla, Hyoscyamus pusillus, Isatis tinctoria, Cousinia microcarpa ?, and C. minuta are frequent, with one spe- cimen of Hyoscyamus reticulatus. From Drékalla to Káratígah the stream-bed is very narrow ; and here on both sides a purely deodar and Juniperus excelsa forest exists without any under- growth. 'These deodars are remarkable for the peculiar style of their growth; they are extremely tall, over a hundred feet, with excellent timber, having very short thick-set lateral branches not over 4.or 5 feet in length, and have nearly the same average length all the way up the stem. Covering the ground under this forest are masses of Ferula Jaeschkiana and Prangos pabularia ; both of these were obtained on the hills between Síkarám and Matüngé, but in small quantity.
On the 19th of July I ascended Seratigah, following up a ravine to the south-west. The ascent was very gradual to 11,000 feet; the forest up to this point contained only deodar and Juniperus excelsa. Along the watercourse the two species of Eremurus were in full seed, and the leaves of Rheum Ribes (but not the other rhubarb) in their autumnal tints were common ; but not a single specimen of the fruit of the rhubarb could I obtain. Ferula Jaeschkiana and Prangos were equally common. The former of these has extremely handsome fruiting stems with large masses of fruit all of a deep reddish purple, but much insect- eaten, so that it was nearly impossible to collect sound fruit. Amongst these, Hordewm caducum, Munro, was in abundance, and is the fodder-grass of these parts, together with Stachys sp., no. 817, Carex divisa, with a very woody nearly leafless Com- posite (Zanacetum sp., no. 820), and Arnebia endochroma, H. f. & T., remarkable for its flowers varying from a greenish yellow toa deep purple-black.
The forest completely disappears at 11,000 feet, and is re- placed with flat masses of Juniperus communis, interspersed with great hillocks of Acantholimon, enormous ones of Onobrychis cor- nuta, Gypsophila Stewartii, and no. 225a, a larger form, which may prove to be another species. In the shelter of these occurred
c2
20 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
a spinous form of Cicer soongaricum, and a woody miniature tree-like Polygonum, P. biaristatum, n. sp. This peculiar lumpy and hum- mocky form of vegetation only exists up to 12,000 feet, above which the hills are perfectly bare, and any thing that does grow has to be diligently sought for in the crevices of rocks, or in their shelter.
In broken loose débris at 12,500 feet, I found for the first time Lamium rhomboideum, with its lovely pink flowers and its hand- some soft woolly leaves. At the summit of the peak (13,000 feet) there are found amongst the rocks, Cystopteris fragilis (the only fern collected, with the exception of Asplenium Ruta-muraria, since leaving Alikhél), with Oxyria reniformis, Valeriana dioica, Lonicera glauca (so close and creeping, that it was very difficult to obtain fragmentary specimens) ; a very handsome glaucous-leaved Ligus- ticum, probably a new species; and in the clefts of the rock Jso- pyrum thalictroides in great perfection and fine flower. On débris a species of Draba, no. 825, with Alyssum persicum.
12. Vegetation of the Spurs around Sikardm.
I made several excursions along the southern and western slopes of Síkarám, on one occasion ascending as high as 13,000 feet. Subsequently I ascended the main hill up to 15,000 feet, and a ridge to the north which overlooks a small lake to a height of 14,700 feet. Except on the northern slopes and in sheltered valleys, all the snow had disappeared. On the top of Síkarám itself there was no snow in August, but I was informed that a large bed existed on its northern slope. In ascending along the bed of the Kurézghar stream at 9000 feet, I collected Carex vul- garis, Allium robustum, Astragalus tephrosioides, an extremely handsome tall-growing plant, which throws out shoots of from 3 to 4 feet in length from a large woody root-stock. From Sergal the forest was very fine, consisting nearly altogether of deodar and Juniperus excelsa, with occasional trees of Pinus excelsa and Abies Webbiana. On the ridge over the left bank of the Kuréz- ghar stream one or two trees of Pinus Gerardiana occur ; but this is its eastern limit. On the Péwár ridge it does not get further east than two miles to the south of Zabardastkalla. In the deodar forest there is no undergrowth. On the dry limestone soil under the trees Pedicularis, no. 487, is very common ; and as the forest begins to thin off, owing to altitude, Onobrychis cornuta is common in dense circular bushes, which, with Juniperus com-
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 21
munis, recurva, and Rhododendron Collettianum, form the brush- wood beyond the limit of forest. Amongst this brushwood occur several species of Acantholimon, Astragalus psilacanthus, Onobry- chis spinosissima, several Artemisias, numerous Cousinias, Tana- cetum no. 280, Linum perenne, both Macrotomias, Leontopodium, ‘two or three species of Anaphalis, and Poa bulbosa, P. laxa, Bromus near erectus, growing through the juniper-bushes, Lilium poly- phyllum, and under their protection Gentiana no. 932. Amongst the stones Sempervirum acuminatum is very profuse. On gravelly soil on the exposed ridges Allium, no. 734, occurs ; in loose rubble Scrophularia, no. 919, a dwarf species, the branches of which lie close to the ground, with flowers large in proportion to the plant.
At the upper limit of trees, in ascending the ridge above the Shéndtoi to the east of Síkarám; willows are seen to form the greater part of the brushwood. On Síkarám and on the range to its west, owing no doubt to the excessive dryness of the climate, willows do not exist, the Rhododendron alone being found, with the new bush types of Onobrychis and Astragalus.
At spring heads on moss-covered stones, at an altitude of 11,000 feet in occasional localities, the following plants occur :— Codonopsis ovata, a Campanula, Inula rhizocephaloides, Parnassia ovata, Orchis latifolia, Primula purpurea and P. denticulata, Ophelia cordata and O. petiolata, with Sedum Ewersii on the overhanging rocks. Among the boulders in the stream-bed Oxyria reniformis is by no means uncommon.
From 12,000 to 14,000 feet the following plants occur, but only in patches, otherwise the hill-side appears destitute of vege- tation :—Delphinium Brunonianum, when in full flower very effec- tive; Rheum Moorcroftianum, but no R. Ribes; Bupleurum sp., no. 929, and Astragalus, no. 924 (near A. confertus), both very close-growing and carpeting the ground. In the clefts and on the sides of rocks, Pleurospermum corydalifolium, Valeriana petro- phila, Isopyrum grandiflorum, Ligusticum no. 821. Amongst broken débris, Nepeta no. 917, Lamium rhomboideum and Aster heterocheta, with lovely purple flowers, and the following grasses :—Poa flexuosa, Piptatherium laterale, Festuca ovina, and Keleria cristata.
At 14,000 feet, Oxygraphis, a new species, the leaves and flowers of which seem to be a favourite food with the snow-pheasant, as it was almost impossible to get perfect specimens on account of its being invariably eaten over. In the shelter of the boulders
29 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
Primula purpurea was very profuse, and with it Gypsophila sedi- folia, with several Drabe, and occasionally in tufts Brachypodium tartaricum. At the highest altitudes the following plants occurred — Potentilla monanthes and P. sericea, with a Draba. Another proof of the extreme dryness of the climate is the total absence of Anemones, which at these altitudes in Kashmir occurin abundance.
The only ferns obtained were Asplenium Ruta-muraria, up to an elevation of 11,000 feet, and Cystopteris fragilis, up to an elevation of 13,000 feet.
13. Plants cultivated for Food.
Cereals.—Up to the time of the British occupation cultivation was limited to the actual wants of the people as food, with perhaps a slight surplus for barter ; at least, such was the opinion I formed after numerous conversations with the natives, as well as from my own personal observation. The chief causes of this were, no doubt, insecurity of property, due to the constant occurrence of blood-feuds, the inhabitants being afraid to cultivate except in the immediate vicinity of their villages, and to the inadequate supply of water, an increase of which could not be obtained with- out incurring extra labour upon works which might never prove profitable. Inthe whole Kuram and Hariáb districts there is not a single water-course to be compared with the works commonly found in Ladák. No sooner, however, had the British occupation of the Kuram Valley taken place than every bit of land which the villagers were capable of placing under immediate cultivation was at once begun to be worked upon, and persons who had left the country were recalled by their friends to return and till their fields.
The land is rich and good, and, as a rule, those very arid plains already spoken of only require water and labour to convert them into green fields. With a very little trouble and care taken to avoid waste, twice the amount of land could be cultivated with the water already available. For instance, the hills to the north of Shálizán consist of slate, which has been lately worked by Euro- peans, and found to be of good quality'and unlimited in quantity ; and if this slate were employed in the construction of the water- channels, it would assist in economizing the water which is at present wasted, owing to its running over a gravelly soil. As an example of how a good supply of water is allowed to go to waste, at an elevation of 8000 feet, in the Shéndtoi ravine, the stream of that name, where 4 feet broad and 2 feet deep, is allowed to lose itself in a mass of boulders and shingle, whilst the villagers
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 23
of Katskallé at the mouth of the gorge were losing their crops from deficiency of water.
In the Kuram district, as elsewhere stated, two crops are ob- tained during the year—the first consisting of barley, clover, and wheat, the second of rice and Indian corn. Rice taking a longer time to mature, rotates with barley and clover, both of which are early and quick crops. Indian corn follows wheat. The natives manure their fields well, the cow-dung not being, as in India, employed as fuel. Rice is the staple crop, and is not cultivated above 7500 feet. The germination of rice-seed in the seed-nurseries is supposed to be hastened by shading with the young branches of Adhatoda Vascia and Sophora mollis. The next crop in importance to rice is, I think, Indian corn, as the people of these parts prefer the bread made from it to that of wheat, and which is always made with ferment—a custom which does not obtain to the east of the Indus. I think there is good reason for their preference, as Indian corn-flour is always pure, whereas the wheat-flour of the country is half rye.
I was much struck by seeing in the wheat-fields a plant which I subsequently identified as Secale cereale, or common rye. The natives assert that this is a weed, and accidentally occurs amongst the wheat against their wish, but that it is not found amongst barley, which is easily explained by the fact that it takes a much longer period to ripen than barley. The grains of the wheat and rye are very like, and no attempt is made to separate them before they are sown ; and it is so common among the wheat as in many cases to predominate. Besides rye, two other weeds commonly occur with the wheat, viz. Avena fatua and Lolium temulentum. Occasionally after eating wheaten bread, persons are seized with symptoms of narcotic poisoning, and, if not attended to, have been known to die. The natives invariably attribute these symptoms to the seeds of one of these three weeds, and will pick them out from amongst the suspected wheat, in support of their assertion. Wheat, barley, and Indian corn are cultivated in the Hariáb dis- trict up to very nearly 9000 feet. Rice is husked in the usual manner in a large mortar with a wooden pestle, or sometimes in mills by cattle power. In the larger villages there are numerous water-mills for grinding the other cereals ; frequently, however, hand-mills are also resorted to. I have not seen the Amaranths eultivated *.
* The cultivated fruit-trees and principal vegetables are enumerated at p- 9, antea.
24 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
14. Indigenous Plants for Food óc. in use.
Having mentioned the plants which are cultivated in the Kuram valley, I will now describe such as are employed by the people as a substitute for these or together with them. Eremurus auran- tiacus is the sole vegetable upon which the inhabitants of the Hariáb district depend for fully two months of the year. The leaves are simply eut off the root-stock, if I may so call it, as close to the ground as possible, leaving the stock intact, but for which the plant would long ago have been extirpated. This as a vege- table was considered very good by the army, and boys brought daily baskets’ full of leaves into camp for sale. It resembles in flavour no other vegetable I ever tasted, it being hard and crisp without being either tough or tibrous, and it might prove under cul- tivation a welcome addition to our limited list of spring vegetables. The young shoots of asparagus are collected and cooked, as are also the leaves of the cultivated fig, of Carum Bulbocastanum (not the tubers), and, lastly, the rhizomes of Polygonatum verticillatum. Between Badishkhél and Thal the stems of Boucerosia Aucheri and the young flowering shoots of Chamerops Ritchieana are eaten raw, as are also the roots of the turnip-rooted JVepeta, which occurs from near Badishkhél to Káratígah. It is curious to note that the bark of this root is flavoured like the turnip, whereas the heart of the bulb has the flavour of fresh almonds. The leaf- stalks of both rhubarbs, of wild onions, the leaves of the common clover (Trifolium resupinatum), and the stems of the young flower- ing shoots of an Orobanche which is parasitical upon Artemisie@ are all eaten raw. The stems of the last have not much flavour, but are cool and erisp.
The following Fungi are collected and eaten cooked :—Mor- chella esculenta, Agaricus campestris, Helvella erispa, and Hydnum coralloides ; asa precautionary measure the natives recommend them to be cooked with a mixture of fat.
In addition to the cultivated fruits, there are also eaten :— Ber- chemia, here called * Mamáhuea," the name given to a Sageretia fur- ther east; Chamerops Ritchieana, which is sold in the market at Thal, and there called by the same name as dates ; Pyrus lanata, Don, called by the same name as that given to the fruit of the Dio- spyros; wild plums, blackberries, berberries, Eleagnus, strawber- ries, gooseberries, and Prunus Padus, the two latter being called “wild grapes.” The nut of the wild almond, the fruit of the pome- granate, and the wild walnut are all uneatable. Mulberries are
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 25
not wild, nor have I seen the hazel as a shrub. In the Hariáb district large quantities of gum exude from the stems of the plum and apricot, which is collected and eaten.
15. Fodder for Animals.
In addition to the straw of the cereals and pulses, clover (Trifolium resupinatum) is cultivated, and the wild oats and weeds from the field are collected and given to animals. Grass is generally so scarce that the natives supplement it with the young shoots and stems of Periploca aphylla to the east of Kuram, and to the west with the foliage of Quercus Ilex, especially the variety that is devoid of spines—the two latter affording fodder for camels chiefly; and in the Hariáb district the young branches of the willows are largely resorted to for fodder for both cattle and sheep. The ashes obtained by burning branches of Ephedra are mixed with tobacco for the purpose of chewing, or with snuff to intensify its action, and the dried and powdered leaves of Rhododendron Collettianum as snuff.
16. Medicines and other Vegetable Products.
The following plants are employed as medicines for internal use:—The berries of Ribes orientale, the fruit of Rhamnus dahuricus, the roots of Daphne oleoides when boiled, and the dried root of Euphorbia, sp. (no. 380), are all employed as pur- gatives, being more or less common household remedies. The last goes by the name of the vomit-weed, and is also used for that purpose. The fresh milk from its leaves blister the hand when collecting it.
As local applications the castor-oil is cultivated in the gardens at Kuram for the sake of its leaves, which are employed in poul- ticing. The roots of two species of Arnebia, viz. A. endochroma and A. speciosa, are used to relieve toothache and earache. The gum-resin which exudes from the flowering stems of Ferula Jaeschk- iana is applied to wounds and bruises. At Alikhél a native brought me the stems of a plant which he said was a rare and valuable medicine, calling it * Mam-í-ran"; on examination it proved to belong to some species of Geranium, probably G. Wal- lichianum. The root-stocks of Valeriana Wallichii are collected and sent to Gandamak for export to India, to be used as a per- fume. The juice of the leaves of Delphinium Brunonianum is employed to destroy ticks in animals, but chiefly when they affect Sheep.
26 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
Poisons.—The following plants are known to be poisonous to the natives, viz. Datura, Hyoscyamus, Cannabis, Atropa lutescens, and Solanum Dulcamara, and, as already mentioned, one of the three weeds found amongst wheat, viz. rye, wild oats, or Lolium. The plants poisonous to animals are :—Stipa sibirica, a very com- mon grass under the shade of trees and in their vicinity, near Shálizán and similar localities; its poisonous qualities are recog- nized by the cattle of the country, which never touch it; Rhodo- dendron afghanicum is poisonous to goats and sheep.
Oils.—As far as my observations have gone, no oil-seeds are eultivated, nor is any oil extracted from the kernels of the apricot or walnut. The only substance in the country which the natives call oil is a crude tar obtained by distillation from the roots of a conifer. Splinters from the green wood of Pinus excelsa, or portions from the roots of P. Gerardiana, are employed in place of lights, the pieces of the roots going by the name of Chirágh, meaning lamp. In lieu of vegetable oils for food, the melted fat of the tail of the large-tailed sheep is used.
Charcoal. —This is usually made from the softer pine-woods to save trouble, although the blacksmiths know well that the harder woods yield a better article.
The tears of resin exuding from the bark of Pinus excelsa and leaves of P. Gerardiana are collected and used for various pur- poses.
Soap.—The large roots of Saponaria Griffithii are collected and employed as soap for washing purposes.
Dyes.—The Isatis tinctoria is largely used a local dye; its native name means the ** Dye-plant." At the Mussulman festival of the Id, at which hard-boiled eggs are indispensable, the roots of a Rubia are employed to give them a bright red colour.
17. Forests.
The forests are extensive and very fine; they contain splendid timber, the chief of course being that of the deodar, which some years ago was exported by the Kuram river to Bunnor. At present the drawback to its exportation is the distance of the forests from the river; this, however, might be easily overcome by the introduction of wooden tramways, such as are already in use in some of the Indian forests. The natives do not employ timber of any size in their buildings, and are not par- ticular as to the kind. Their doors are usually made of deodar,
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 27
at a ruinous expense of timber. As arule, they scarcely ever for their own uses cut down a large tree; and throughout the forests of this district few or no trees are seen partially burnt, as is so commonly the case in Kashmir. When this does occur it is in localities where Afghan or British soldiers have been en- camped. I believe the cause of this immunity to be due to the unsafe condition of the country, for benighted travellers who would, do not dare to light a fire lest it might betray their pre- sence.
The following are the measurements of some of the excep- tionally large trees which I have seen :—plane tree, in circum- ference, 33 feet, walnut 17 feet, deodar 21 feet, Celtis 16 feet, Quercus semecarpifolia 13 feet, Populus nigra, var., 10 feet 6 inches.
Near the village Kaiwds, on the road to the forests, I saw timber slides of rather a rude construction for bringing down from the hills poles for roofing houses. Most of the houses are built on the “ wattle and dab "' principle, and for their construction the stems of Fothergilla, Cotoneaster bacillaris, Quercus Ilex, and willow are usually employed. Household utensils, viz. large platters, bowls, and spoons, are made from the wood of Ulmus campestris (called the ‘‘ carpenter’s tree "), of the poplar, willow, and walnut, indiscriminately. The handles of their farm imple- ments, such as axes, hoes, &c., are made from Cotoneaster bacil- laris, Fothergilla, and Fraxinus. The small rolling-pin with which is beaten out the leaves of the Chamerops into a coarse fibre is always made of a piece of Quercus Ilex. Their usual walking- sticks consist of Cotoneaster bacillaris; and the wands carried by the priests, or “ mollahs," are of the wild almond, and held sacred. For clogs the wood of Pinus Gerardiana is preferred but they are also made of the wood of other pines. For making baskets, a particular willow, near Salix viminalis, is culti- vated in the Hariáb district. The bark of Caragana ambigua, Stocks, in entire circular pieces, is used to encircle and keep firm the wooden sheaths of the long Afghan knife. In addition to this being a strong material for the purpose, its bright golden brown colour gives it, when fresh, an ornamental appearance. Portions of the stem of Arundo, sp., are employed to hold charges of gun- powder, and are arranged in a row round the waist, as is the custom in carrying breech-loading cartridges.
Fibres.—The leaves of Chamerops Ritchieana torn into strips are
28 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
the material of which all rope, twine, or string is made in the Kuram valley. As already stated, this plant only occurs as stunted specimens to the east; therefore the whole of the mate- rial employed for making rope is imported into the country from the south of the river. The sandals worn by the people in place of shoes are also all made from this, the leaves undergoing in this instance the simple process of damping and beating sufficient to produce a coarse fibre. Any other materials employed to make rope are exceptional; the most common is goat’s hair, next the bark of the elm, by merely damping and twisting. The twine which is used for the slow match of their matchlocks is made from the fibre of the bark of the young shoots of the elm, dipped in a solution of saltpetre. The exfoliating epidermis of Juniperus excelsa and Lonicera quinquelocularis in the Hariáb district is em- ployed when a rather soft than strong material is required, as for making pads for placing under loads when carried. I was in- formed that from Serátigáh a grass was obtained which made an excellent rope; but the best rope of all, and most valued by traders, is that made from the roots of a small spinous shrub collected in the Logar valley. Owing to the difficulty of extracting the root the following plan is pursued:—A string is first tied lightly round the crown of the root to a long stick, one end of which is used as a lever, the other as the fulerum ; the root breaks away in lengths of from one to two feet.
Barks.— The bark of the birch, Betula Bhojpattra, is not em- ployed, nor are its uses known.
Bees and Sericulture.—In every village near the hills in this country bees are largely kept by the people, honey and wax being important articles of traffic. Honey is used in place of sugar, which is very expensive.
Sericulture is carried out on a very small scale, the silk pro- duced being employed solely for home consumption.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 29
II. List oF THE PLANTS COLLECTED, WITH NOTES AND Descriptions or New SPECIES.
DICOTYLEDONES.
1. RaNUNCULACER.
978. Clematis grata, Wail. Shálizán, 6000 feet.
733. C. Robertsiana, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Fere omnino C. alpina (Atragene alpina, L., var. 8, Ledebour, Flora Altaica, ii. p. 377), sed floribus citrinis peene duplo majoribus, sepalis longe acuminatis, petalis vel staminibus petaloideis anantheris nullis, ete.
Frutex sarmentosus, preter flores cito glabrescens, ramis gracilibus angulatis usque 4-5-pedalibus. Folia longiuscule petiolata, laxe biternatim secta; foliola petiolulata, membranacea, ovato-lanceolata, lateralia szepissime obliqua, omnia 1-23-pollicaria, plus minusve grosse mucronulato-serrata, terminalia interdum tripartita, lateralia bipartita. Flores citrini, ampli (sepalis usque ad tripollicaribus), terminales, solitarii, longe pedunculati, cernui; pedunculi 3-5-pollicares ; sepala 4, sparsim pilosula, venosa, lanceolata, longe acuminata, acuta vel obtu- siuscula; petala vel stamina petaloidea ananthera nulla; stamina pilo- sula, exteriora longiora et subpetaloidea; filamenta omnia dilatata. Achenia sessilia, novella longissime sericeo-villosa, matura non visa. Shálizán stream, June 1879; hill north of Kaiwás, at
10,000-11,000 feet, profuse, July 1879. A handsome semiscan-
dent shrub, with flowers of a pale lemon colour, from 3 to 5
inches in diameter. It is an exceedingly interesting species,
forming a connecting-link between Atragene and Clematis proper, having almost exactly the foliage and flowers (though much larger) of the Central-Asian variety of C. (Atragene) alpina; but the flowers are destitute of petals or antherless stami- nodes, a character in which it appears to differ from all the varieties of the plant in question. Furthermore, although C. al- pina has such a wide area of distribution,it has not hitherto been found within the limits of Boissier’s * Flora Orientalis ;’ neither is it known to occur in the Himalayan region. The North-Ame- rican C. ( Atragene) verticillaris resembles our plant in having no
petals or petaloid antherless staminodes.
718, 614. C. graveolens, Lindl, Common at 7000 feet; July.
30 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
118, 101. Anemone biflora, DC.
From Kuram to Alikhél, under bushes, at 6000 to 8000 feet ; April. 463. A. sp. nov.
From 8000 to 10,000 feet; June and July.
599, 727. Thalictrum minus, L., var. glandulosum, Koch. Hills at Kaiwás and Karehátal, 10,000 to 12,000 feet; May to July. 0. T. minus, L., var. flexuosum, Benth. Alikhél, 7000 feet, profuse. 428. T. minus, L., var. Shálizán to Bíánkhél. 415. Callianthemum cachemirianum, Camb. Hills, Shéndtoi, at 10,000 feet, from melting snow ; end of May.
134. Adonis æstivalis, L. Corn-fields, Habíbkalla, 6500 feet, common; March to May.
102. Ranunculus falcatus, L., var. orthoceras. Alikhél; April; 8000 feet. 744, 459. R. hirtellus, Royle. From 8000 to 11,000 feet, common; May and June. 416. Large-flowered variety of R. hirtellus (ne palinus, Jacquem.) from Shéndtoi; May. 18. R. letus, Wail. Moist ditches and fields, Alizai, Kuram, H abíbkalla; April and May. 6. R. arvensis, L. Fields, Shálizán to Habíbkalla; April to June. 598. R. divergens, Jordan. On grass-meadows, Karchatal, 10,500 feet, profuse; June. 452. R. sp. near No. 28744 of C. B. Clarke's K ashmir herbarium. Kotalmerg ; May. 0. R. letus, Wall., var. 955. Oxygraphis, sp. nov. On shingly débris, where there were no other plants, from 12,000 to 14,000 feet, Mt. Sikaram; August. 406. Caltha palustris, L. Shéndtoi, 9000 feet ; May. 0. Isopyrum anemonoides, Kar. et Kir. Serátigah, on rocks at 13,000 feet; July.
2 =
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. . 91
0. Isopyrum grandiflorum, Fisch. Mt. Sikaram, 13,000 to 14,000 feet, on rocks, profuse ; ree 0. I. grandiflorum, Fisch., var. Mt. Síkarám ; August; 13,000 feet. 802. I. sp. Marble rocks, Shéndtoi, at 10,000 feet; July. 376. Aquilegia vulgaris, L., var. pubiflora ? From 9000 to 11,000 feet, Shéndtoi.
0. A. vulgaris, var. Moorcroftiana, Wail.
732. A. vulgaris, var. fragrans, Benth. Kaiwás, 12,000 feet ; July. 0. A. sp. nov.
A dwarf species, that may be new, from Mt. Síkarám, 10,000 to 14,000 feet ; August.
559, 575. Delphinium uncinatum, Hook. f. 4 Thoms. Alikhél, stony ground, bare hills, common, 8000 feet; June.
957. D. Brunonianum, Royle. Mt. Síkarám, bare side of hill and ridges at 14,000 feet, com- mon; August.
862. D. sp. near D. tuberosum, Auch. In meadows from 8000 to 11,000 feet, Alikhél, Karatigah, Spíngháo. A very beautiful plant. July.
1001. Aconitum napellus, L., var. rotundifolia, Kar. et Kir. Amongst grass in meadows at 10,000 feet, Shéndtoi; end of August.
2. BERBERIDE-.
/26. Barberis callibotrys, Bienert. Hills above Kaiwás, 11,000 feet; a large bush; July. a B. orthobotrys, Bienert. Near Sergal, 9000 to 11,000 feet ; August. 490. B. cretica, L. Between Sergal and Síkarám, 8000 to 10,000 feet. 499. B. sp. Base of Síkarám ; June. 176. B. sp. Habíbkala; May. This is the common Berberis between Kuram and Habíbkalla.
82 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
0. Berberis sp. With peculiar swollen fruit. Drékalla ; August 17th.
0. B. sp.
Shálizán ; June 18th. 0. B. sp.
Hill near Kaiwás, 10,000 to 11,000 feet. 0. B. sp.
On dry hilly ground behind village of Shálizán; 7000 fect; May. 0. B. sp.
At Kuram Fort; April.
385. Podophyllum Emodi, Wail. At 10,000 feet, up the Shéndtoi gorge; May.
3. PAPAVERACEAE.
138, 272. Papaver dubium, L., var. levigatum. . Kuram to Alikhél, in fields from 6000 to 9000 feet ; May and June. A very uncommon plant. Curious to see how scarce the poppies are here in comparison to their abundance in the Kashmir fields. 860. Glaucium fimbrilligerum, Boiss.
On dry stony soil near Zabardastkalla; July. 242. Roemeria rheadiflora, Boiss.
Fields near Kuram; April; rare. 242a. R. hybrida, DC.
Fields near Shálizán; very rare.
4. FUMARIACEX.
183. Hypecoum procumbens, L.
In fields from Kuram to Alikhél, not uncommon; May and June. 95 and 121. Corydalis, sp. near C. rutefolia, Sibth.
Common in the forests at roots of trees and bushes; April. 789. C. meifolia, Wall.
From 10,000 to 11,000 feet, Shéndtoi ravine, amongst large boulders, profuse; July. 210. Fumaria parviflora, Lamk.
By no means common in fields, 6000 to 10,000 feet ; May.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 33
9. CRUCIFERZE, 894. Nasturtium officinale, Br. Profuse wet ground near spring, Péwárkotal, 8500 feet ; J uly. 276 and 690. N. palustre, DC. | Common, sides of streams, Shálizán; June. 0. Barbarea vulgaris, Br., var. taurica, DC. Shálizán to Bíánkhél ; from 6000 to 9000 feet, not uncommon ; June. 154. B. vulgaris, Br.— Griffith, Afghan. no. 1458. Habíbkalla, common. 97. Arabis nuda, Bélang. Alikhél; April. 97a, A. nuda, var. (hirsute pods). 77. A. amplexicaulis, Edgew. Shéndtoi; May. 120. A. sp. Alikhél; April 19th. 822. A.sp. Flowers white. Serátigah, at 13,000 feet; July. 141. A. sp.? Shálizán ; April 25th. 547. A. sp.? Alikhél; June 9th. 279. Cardamine Impatiens, L. Very common near water from Kuram to Shálizán ; May. 142. Alyssum minimum, Willd. Common on stony ground from Thal to Habíbkalla; April. 826. A. persicum, Boiss. Serátigah; July 19th. 0. A. campestre, L. Alikhél; June 9th. 107. A. sp. Alikhél; April 18th. 825. Draba sp. Serátígah, 11,000 to 13,000 feet; July. 464. D. sp. Shéndtoi, 11,000 feet, close to snow; May 31st. LINN. JOURN,—BOTANY, VOL. XVIII, D
34 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
0. Draba sp. Sikaram, 13,000 feet; August 14th. 0. D. sp. Sikarám, 11,000 to 15,000 feet ; August 7th. 0. Malcolmia africana, R. Br. Common, Alikhél; July. 149 and 57. Sisymbrium Sophia, L, Very common from Kuram to Habíbkalla ; April, 0. S. himalaicum, Hook. f. 4 Thoms. 0. S. strictum, Hook. f. & Thoms. Shéndtoi; July 8th. 12, 209, 200. S. Wallichii, Hook. f. & Thoms. Alizai; April 4th. 135. S. Columne, Jacq. Shálizán ; March 25th. 216. S. Leeselii, L. Shálizán ; May. 91. S. Alliaria, Scop. Shálizán to Habíbkalla; April. 206. Conringia sp. near C. perfoliata, Crantz. Habíbkalla ; May. 67. Erysimum repandum, L. Kuram; April. 475. E. sp. Between Alikhél and Sergal; June. 402. Brassica campestris, L. Most likely an escape from cultivation. Shéndtoi; May. 129. Capsella Bursa-pastoris, L. Very common everywhere near cultivation ; April. 182, 58. Lepidium Draba, L. Profuse in fields amongst crops ; May. 94, 621. L. latifolium, L. Shálizán, fields; June 26th. 139. Thlaspi arvense, L. Common, Kuram to Shálizán ; April. 454. T. cardiocarpum, Hook. f. & Thoms. Under pine-trees, Péwárkotal, not common ; May. 116. T. alpestre, L., Very common, Shálizán to Alikhél; April to June,
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 35
78, 251. Isatis tinctoria, L.
Very profuse, from Kuram to Serátígah. Employed as a dye- stuff, its native name “Ranjowah”’ meaning “the dye.” All summer.
532. Pachypterygium sp. Near Alikhél; June. 181. Neslia paniculata, Desv.
Common in fields at Habíbkalla ; May. 280. Euclidium syriacum, R. Br.
Shálizán; May.
190. E. tataricum, DC.
Alikhél, common ; April to June.
622. Raphanus Raphanistrum, L.
Shálizán; June.
211. Chorispora tenella, DC.
Habibkalla ; May.
133. C. tenella, var. ?
Shálizán to Habíbkalla; April.
997. C. sp. near C. Bungeana, Fisch. & Mey.
At 11,500 feet up the Karchátal ravine.
6. CAPPARIDEEX.
637. Cleome iberica, DC. On dry stony hot soil near Shálizán; June.
7. RESEDACER.
359. Reseda luteola, L. Shálizán, stony ground, not uncommon ; May to July.
8. VIOLACER. /29. Viola biflora, L. The yellow violet, common on all the hills above 10,000 feet, from Serátígah to the hills opposite Kuram ; July to August.
0. V. sp. —16 Kashmir collection, 1877. 73, 166. V. Patrinii, DC.
Very common, sweetly scented, from 6000 to 8000 feet, Kuram to Alikhél.
89, 155. V. serpens, Wall. Common in April at low elevations.
p2
36 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
500, 119. Viola sp. ‘This is a very marked species whilst growing, at once recogni-
zable, both from the locality where it grows in the shade of fir
forests, and the distinct markings of its veins on the leaves.
9. PoLYGALER. 249. Polygala abyssinica, Fres. Common in damp localities, Kuram, Kaiwás, and Shálizán; April to July. 192. P. Hohenackeriana, Fisch. Not common, stony ground, Habíbkalla. 284. P. sibirica, L.
Damp soil along watercourses and near spring-heads at Shá- lizán ; May.
10. CARYOPHYLLE:F. 0. Dianthus fimbriatus, Bieb,
At Sergal, stony ground ; August. 0. D. crinitus, Sm.
Near Shálizán ; July 12th. 638. D. sp.
Alikhél; July 22nd. 938. D. sp.
Sikarám; August 7th. 0. D. sp.
Shálizán; June 23rd. 856. D. sp.
Zabardastkalla; July 15th.
225. Gypsophila Stewartii, Thoms,
A spinous-leaved densely tufted herb, occurring in small hum- mocks profusely all over the country from Kuram to Alikhél and Serátigah, covered, in May, with a mass of small flowers ; very at- traetive when first seen.
148. G. floribunda, Boiss., var. 821643, Griffith. 225a. G. sp.
Probably a different species from the last ; the flowers and leaves much larger, and the inflorescence laxer. Síkarám and Serátígah, above 10,000 feet ; July and August.
531. G. alsinoides, Bunge, — Stocks, no. 970, Alikhél ; June,
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 37
961. Gypsophila, sp. near G. sedifolia, Kurz.
Flowers white with pink veins; at 14,000 feet, Síkarám; August.
526. Saponaria Griffithii, Boiss.
A semiprostrate perennial with large roots that are collected and employed in lieu of soap, called * Zannah.” It is one of the few herbs that grow under pine-trees ; June to August.
278. S. Vaccaria, L.
Common weed amongst corn, Kuram and Shálizán ; May and June.
544. Silene inflata, Sm.
Common in woods from 8000 to 10,000 feet, Karchátal, Ali- khél, Biánkhél; June.
144. S. conoidea, L. A field-weed, profuse; April to June.
0. S. Moorcroftiana, Wall.
Síkarám, 10,000 feet and above; August 7th. 433. S. sp. — Griffith, no. 1640 (see Lychnis cabulica, Boiss. ).
Petals lemon-yellow, with a very viscid reddish-brown calyx; Shéndtoi; June 31st. 473. S. sp.
Very common from the base of the Péwárkotal to Alikhél; June.
0. Lychnis sp. near L. macrorhiza, Royle. My specimens have three styles ; Síkarám, 11,000 feet ; August.
0. L. indica, Benth., var. fimbriata. Shéndtoi; July and August. 372. Cerastium vulgatum, L., var. i Shéndtoi, not common amongst débris, dry locality ; June 21st.
205. C. dichotomum, £L. ‘ In localities common at Habibkalla and Shalizan.
0. Stellaria crispata, Wall. Shéndtoi; July 8th.
214. S. media, L. i A weed, everywhere in fields, road-sides, wet ditches from Thal to Alikhél; April to August. 793. S. Webbiana, Wall. From 11,000 to 14,000 feet amongst dwarf juniper; July.
38 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
555. Stellaria sp. With great massive rootstocks ; Hariáb district in pine-forests, not uncommon. June to August. 404. S. bulbosa, Wulf. Shéndtoi, in the forest at 11,000 feet; June. 209. Arenaria Meyeri, Boiss. A stiff, erect, harsh annual, on dry stony country, occasional; May. 495. A. foliosa, Royle. In great masses at the base of Síkarám, 11,000 feet ; June. 0. A. Griffithii, Boiss. ?
Specimens without fruit, at 11,000 feet, Karchátal ravine: June.
300. A. serpyllifolia, L. Common form, Shálizán. 984. Variety of the same from Karchátal ; June. 373. Variety from Shéndtoi. 477. A. sp. On a woody rootstock, in dry clay soil, near Zabardastkalla.
11. PonTUraACEEX. 902. Portulaca oleracea, L.
Common near damp soil, Shéndtoi ; July. 12. TAMARISCINEE. Tamarix sp.
A small tree or large shrub, common along the banks of the Kuram river from Thal to Walli Mahomed-Kalla. No specimen was collected.
252. Myricaria germanica, Desv.?
Along the streams that lead into the Kuram river, near the Fort of Kuram; April.
13. HPERICINExX.
627. Hypericum perforatum, L.
Shálizán and Shéndtoi, very common; June and J uly. 944. H. scabrum, L.
Síkarám, 10,000 feet, on dry shingle ; August. 65. H. sp.
A small shrub with medium-sized flowers, hanging from cliffs near Kuram; April. 613. H. sp.?
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 39
14. MaALYACEX. 635. Althzea rosea, Cav.
Occasional on stony ground, but in some localities, as in the vicinity of the Péwárkotal, profuse ; seems quite wild, but it is cultivated upon graves and near Fakirs’ huts. Rose-coloured and white; June.
693. A. officinalis, L.?= Griffith, no. 1273.
A very common tall shrub in the vicinity of cultivation, often forming parts of natural hedges that occur between fields. Shá- lizán and Kuram ; June and July.
208. Malva rotundifolia, L. Everywhere amongst stones, from 5000 to 7000 feet. 840. Hibiscus Trionum, L. In fields, profuse, from Kuram to Alikhél; July and August.
15. Linen. 959, 525. Linum perenne, L. On dry stony soil, common from Kuram to Alikhél, and up to 14,000 feet on the hills; May to August.
16. GERANIACEX. /61. Geranium Wallichianum, Sweet.
Large bluish flowers. Amongst bushes and grass and boulders where there is moisture, from 8000 to 10,000 feet. The rhi- zomes of this plant were brought to me (said to be from some hills thirty miles off) as “ Mam-i-ran,” a good medicine for sore eyes. This, no doubt, is a local substitute for the true Mam-i-ran, viz. the roots of Coptis Teeta, Wall.
281, 220. G. nepalense, Sweet.
On open grassy spots, very common ; May and June. 600, 868. G. sp.
Grassy spots, near springs, local about Bíánkhél; July. 836. G. sp. (White var. of 600.)
143, 90. Erodium cicutarium, L. Very common, Kuram to Habíbkalla ; May to June.
909. Oxalis corniculata, L. Everywhere from Thal to Habíbkalla; flowers five months.
1005. Impatiens amphorata, Edgw, is From 9000 to 10,000 feet in very moist localities; flowers rose-
f Aink and yellow ; Shéndtoi; August.
40 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
587. Impatiens sp.—1251 and 1252, Griffith.
Very common amongst the shingly beds of streams at 7000 feet; June.
653. I. sp. near I. racemosa, Wall.
Small, white, minute flowers. Very common with 587 in stream- beds ; June and July.
17. Ruvacez. 838. Ruta acutifolia, DC.
Local at Alikhél in cultivated fields, 7500 feet; J uly. Leaves vertical.
636. Peganum Harmala, L.
In certain localities very common, but very local. Remarkably frequent on graves. Shálizán; June.
18. MELIAcEs. 334. Melia Azedarach, L. A small tree; usually cultivated in sacred localities ; not seen
further west than Türai, An occasional escape along footpaths. Called * Daráchk."
19. CELASTRINEZ. 3/5. Euonymus fimbriatus, Wall. A small tree, common in the deep gorges of Kaiwás and Shénd-
toi, from 8000 to 10,000 feet ; occasional in the hills to the north of the Hariáb district, usually near water.
20. RHAMNEZ. 650. Zizyphus vulgaris, Lamk.
At Shálizán a small shrub struggling for existence, and most probably introduced for hedges, for which it is now employed ; not uncommon near the river between Thal and Kuram.
337. Berchemia lineata, DC.
A small shrub, very much browsed by cattle; common at 7000 to 8000 feet ; Shálizán, Kaiwás, and to the east. The fruit is col- lected largely and eaten by the people; it is called “ Mahmannah,”
the name applied round Peshawur to the fruit of species of Sage- retia.
357. Rhamnus persicus, Boiss.
A common shrub from Thal up to hot hill-sides near Shálizán. 0. R. sp., flowers only =357 ?
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 41
703. Rhamnus dahuricus, Pail.
A small tree, amongst thick undergrowth near moisture, from 7000 to 8000 feet; not uncommon in the woods near Shalizán, Shéndtoi, Kaiwás, but not further west; fruit employed as a purgative by the natives.
3/9. R. purpureus, Edgew. A common tree-shrub near Shéndtoi and Shálizán.
915. R. sp.=No. 7, Strachey & Winterbotham.
Síkarám, 10,000 to 11,000 feet; August. 759. Sageretia, sp.
Specimens poor, and all collected from one small browsed bush. Apparently new. Near Shálizán.
21. AMPELIDES. Vitis vinifera, L,
A large scandent vine is grown in all the orchards, and allowed to climb over the largest trees; there are two varieties of fruit, a white and a purple. Only in one garden did I see small bushes ofa variety trained as standards from 3 to 4 feet high; this yielded a small green seedless grape. From the Logan valley and the vicinity of Cabul grapes were brought in large quantities across the passes for sale amongst the troops; some were very fine in quality. Along with the grapes, plums, apples, and a few pears were also brought.
22. SAPINDACES.
853. Acer sp. near A. campestre, L. 3 A small tree, collected only in the valleys on the Hazárdarakht
river in July and August, and not in fruit. The natives described a similar tree with much larger leaves as occurring in the vicinity.
Dodonza viscosa, L. Occurs in some quantity to the south or right bank of the
Kuram river, on the hills opposite the Fort of Kuram, and at the Darwazaghai pass, where I saw it. It is common from Thal to near Kuram on both banks of the river, but it does not extend west of Kuram in this locality. (No specimens.)
400, 396. Staphylea Emodi, Wali. A large shrub, collected only in some of the deep gorges of the
Shéndtoi ravine, from 8000 to 9000 feet; June and July.
42 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
23. ANACARDIACE Æ. 233, 342. Rhus Cotinus, L.
A large shrub, common on the lower hills at Shálizán, from 7000 to 8000 feet ; April.
38, 934. Pistacia integerrima, Stewart.
On the lower hills near Shálizán, not common; April. Com- mon between Thaland Kuram near the river, but only as indi- vidual trees.
17, 361. P. cabulica, S/ocks.
An occasional tree from Thal to Shálizán, usually not large. At Snálizán there was a quite sound tree 30 feet high, and 9 feet in circumference at 4 feet from the ground ; at 6 feet the trunk divided into large branches.
928. P. sp.
A large woody bush in a forest of Juniperus excelsa near Bián- khél, at 8500 feet; June.
24. LEGUMINOSE. 682, Ononis arvensis, L., var. spinosa.
Shálizán and Bíánkhél, at 6500 to 8000 feet, in moist meadow- land and sides of streams, common ; June and July. 468. Trifolium resupinatum, L.
Largely cultivated, both near Kuram as well as in the Hariáb district. Curiously enough, the Kuram people all depend upon the higher district near Sergal and Ballát, and not to their own crops, for their seed. Called ** Shantal."
152. T. pratense, L.
Common everywhere in dampish localities. Not cultivated. 19. T. repens, L.
Forming a portion of all pasturage near moisture from Alizai to Alikhél. Not cultivated.
1212. T. fragiferum, L. Occasional with 7. repens at Shálizán. 482, 875. Trigonella polycerata, L.
Common near Zabardastkalla ; June and July. 712. T. pubescens, Edgew.
Not common, Kaiwás.
193, 236. T. Emodi, Benth. Common from Kuram to Alikhél; April to July.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 48
795. Trigonella corniculata, L.
Common; July.
681. Melilotus alba, L.
Shálizán.
699. M. officinalis, Willd.
Very common in cultivated ground and fields from Kuram to
Alikhél; June and July. 31, 665. M. lupulina, L.
Shinnak, Kuram, and Shálizán, common ; April to June. 355. M. sativa, L.
A very common field-weed. Not cultivated now, nor could any one tell me if it was formerly. It is certainly cultivated in the Punjab, where it is also a weed. Common from Shálizán to Ali- khél; May and June.
2, 137, 649, 610. Lotus corniculatus, L.
Very common in moist meadows and on sides of watercourses from Thal to Alikhél; April to June. | 340, 630. Indigofera Gerardiana, Wall. ;
A dense shrub up to 4 feet, profuse around Shálizán, forming natural hedges around the fields by growing densely along the sides of the watercourses that divide them; also from Kuram to 7000 feet in the watercourses and low moist thickets; not in the Hariáb district.
511. Colutea arborescens, L.
A tall thin shrub, met with in the Hariáb district only, where it is very common, and remarkable both for its inflorescence and for the large inflated pods, which give it its local name, meaning “bellows ;” June and July.
286. Caragana brevispina, Royle.
On dry hills, amongst scattered scrub, at 7000 feet, around Sha- lizan ; May.
249, 1220. C. ambigua, Stocks.
A large shrub, in size of wood and appearance of bark very like laburnum. Bark employed by the Afghans in the form of rings to slip over and hold the sheaths of their long knives in position in lieu of brass-work ; the surface takes a good polish, and when new re- sembles bronzed leather. The wood iscalled “ Jirrél.” Alikhél, Karatigah, and the hills north of Hariáb district at 9000 to 11,000 feet. From native accounts there is none of it east of Spinghdo. Baker thinks C. wlicina, ambigua, and brevispina may be three varieties of one species. I am of the same opinion.
44 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
835. Caragana grandiflora, Bieb.
A large shrub, Karatigah ; July.
8. C. ulicina, Stocks?
This very distinct shrub, which much resembles a dwarf Acacia modesta, is only from 2 to 3 feet in height. I first mistook it for Acacia modesta dwarfed by climate. Very common from Ibrahinzai, along the road up the right bank of the Kuram river, to the Dar- wazaghai pass; not uncommon from Alizai to Badishkhél. Itis a low eountry, from 4000 to 7000 feet.
1219. C. arborescens, Lamk.
Biánkhél and along the Léliddar stream.
1218. C. (Chesneya) acaulis, Baker, n. sp. Herba perennis, acaulis, rhizomate lignoso gracili elongato. Folia rosulata, imparipinnata, facie parce dorso dense persistenter albo-sericea, foliolis 7-9 obovato- cuneatis sessilibus 4-8 lin. longis apice obtusis vel truncatis minute cuspidatis, rachi subpollicari, petiolo brevi, stipulis parvis lanceolatis albo-serieeis. — Pedunculus fructiferus 12-15 lin. longus. Calyx 6-9 lin. longus, tenuiter albo-canescens, tubo cylindrico, dentibus lanceo- latis tubo duplo brevioribus. Corolla pollicaris, vexillo 6 lin. lato extus sericeo sordide purpurascente intus luteo, alis vexillo paulo brevioribus, carina obtusa alis paulo breviore. Legumen lineare, 2-23 poll. longum,
leviter recurvatum, rigidum, mucronatum, tenuiter canescens, seminibus circiter 20 reniformibus compressis.
Allied to C. cuneata, Baker, in * Flora of British India, vol. ii. p. 117, from which it differs by its fewer leaflets and solitary flowers. It has a dense fibrous rootstock much out of propor- tion to the few leaves and solitary pedunculate flowers, not more than 2 or 3 inches at the most in length. The interior of each flower is golden yellow, the exteriora dead grey-purple. On dry hot hill-sides, Shálizán and Habíbkalla; April and May.
42, Astragalus anfractuosus, Bunge.
Shinnak, Sadatkalla, and Kuram ; April. 586. A. coluteocarpus, Boiss.
In the pine-forest up the Karchátal ravine, at about 9000 feet ; June.
174, 76. A. decemjugus, Bunge.
Profuse in the fan country near Habibkalla on shingle; May. 241. A. graveolens, Ham.
Very common near watercourses. Kuram and Shálizán ; April to June.
80, 61, 52, 184, 53. A. hippocrepidis, Benth. Very profuse from Kuram to Habíbkalla; April and May.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 45
1213. Astragalus infestus, Boiss.
Biánkhél; July.
916, 435. A. leucocephalus, Grah.
Among débris, Síkarám, 12,000 feet, Péwárkotal, 8500 feet, between Shálizán and Habíbkalla, 6500 feet.
1216. A. murinus, Boiss. ?
Habibkalla to Péwárkotal.
23. A. polyacanthus, Royle.
Shinnak ; April. (A Punjab Salt-range plant.)
485, 451. A. psilacanthus, Boiss.
Common from Kuram to Zabardastkalla and Sikaram ; April to July.
436, 81. A. purpurascens, Bunge.
From Habíbkalla to Síkarám at 15,000 feet ; April to August. 1214. A. raphiodontus, Boiss.
Zabardastkalla; July.
441, 237. A. rhizanthus, Hoyle.
Abundant in pine-forests at Péwárkotal; May and June.
434. A. strobiliferus, Royle.
Shálizán to Habibkalla.
502. A. tephrosioides, Boiss.
West base of Síkarám. A tall (3 feet) herbaceous stem from a thick perennial rootstock. Only one plant of this collected with several stems from the rootstock. June.
421. A. verticillaris, Bunge.
From 6000 to 8000 feet ; profuse in pine-forests on Péwárkotal along with 441. The verticillate leaves give the plant a very ru- biaceous look.
924. A.(Hypoglottis) immersus, Baker, n. sp. Herba perennis, dense ezspitosa, rhizomate valde ramoso. Folia imparipinnata, pallide vi- ridia, dense albo-hispida, foliolis 13-15 oblongo-lanceolatis acutis 1-2 lin. longis, rachi 3-6 lin. longa, petiolo brevi, stipulis lanceolatis. Pedunculus interdum pollicaris. Racemi subumbellati, 3-4-flori, pedi- cellis brevissimis, bracteis minutis subulatis. Calyx 1} lin. longus atro-viridis, pilis albidis paucis adpressis vestitus, tubo infundibulari, dentibus parvis lanceolatis. Corolla exrulea, calyce duplo longior, alis vexillo paulo brevioribus. Legumen oblongum, turgidum, acutum, 3 lin. longum, distincte stipitatum, tenuiter albo-canescens, sutura
nullo modo inflexa, seminibus 3-4 parvis reniformibus duplo longioribus quam latis.
A near ally of A. confertus, Benth., of West Tibet. From 12,000 to 14,000 feet, Síkarám ; a very minute plant; August.
46 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
818, 1004. Astragalus (Phaca) microdontus, Baker, n. sp. Herba perennis, caulibus elongatis ramosis tenuiter adpresse albo-pubescen- tibus. Folia viridia tenuissime pubescentia, foliolis 11-21 lineari-oblongis vel oblongis obtusis 6-12 lin. longis distincte petiolulatis, rachi 2—4- pollicari, petiolo brevi, stipulis parvis linearibus. Racemi densi 2-3 poll. lougi, szepe seeundi, pedicellis 1-13 lin. longis, bracteis magnis membra- naceis oblongo-lanceolatis cito deciduis. Calyx viridis, subglaber, 2 lin. longus, tubo oblongo, ore obliquo subintegro ciliato. Corolla primum pallide lutea, demum purpurascens, calyce duplo longior. Legumen glabrum, lineare, compressum, 5-6 lin. longum, 12-2 lin. latum, ad apicem et basin angustatum, perfecte biloculare, stipite ealyce longiore, seminibus 6-8.
Closely allied to the West- Himalayan A. chlorostachys, Lindl.
Remarkable for the almost complete suppression of its calyx-
teeth. Shéndtoi, 7000 to 10,000 feet.
233, 710. A. (Hiypoglottis) Kuramensis, Baker, n. sp. Herba pe- rennis, caulibus elongatis pilis mollibus patentibus albidis tenuibus ves- titis. Folia viridia, facie glabra, dorso et margine tenuiter laxe pilosa, foliolis 21-31 oblongis obtusis distincte petiolulatis 6-9 lin. longis, rachi interdum semipedali, petiolulis brevissimis, stipulis magnis connatis membranaceis persistentibus. Racemi multi, densi, sessiles, axillares, 15-2 poll. longi, pedicellis brevissimis, bracteis lanceolatis. Calyz viri- dis, demum brunnescens, 5-6 lin. longus, tenuiter laxe pilosus, dentibus linearibus tubo zquilongis. Corolla lutea, calyce paulo longior. Ova- rium distincte stipitatum, dense albo-sericeum, ovulis pluribus. Legu- men ignotum.
A neighbour of A. cashmirensis, Bunge, and A. Munroi, Benth. Kuram, April; also at 10,000 feet, July.
488, 510. A. (Hypoglottis) rhizocephalus, Baker, n. sp. Herba pe- rennis, acaulis, dense albo-pilosa. Folia pallide viridia, pilis multis pa- tentibus albis molli bus tenuibus vestita, foliolis 25-31 obovatis obtusis vel emarginatis 3-4 lin. longis breviter petiolulatis, rachi 2-3-pollicari, petiolo subpollicari, stipulis magnis membranaceis. Flores numerosi, in capitem globosum sessilem aggregati, pedicellis brevissimis, bracteis linearibus. Calyx 6-7 lin. longus, densissime albo-pubescens, dentibus lineari-subulatis tubo equilongis. Corolla lutea, calyce paulo longior. Ovarium stipitatum, dense albo-sericeum, ovulis pluribus. — Legumen haud visum.
Near A. erionotus , Benth., Bunge, No. 187. Sergalto Bíánkhél and Síkarám ; May and June. In pine-forests, Bíánkhél.
75. A. sp. near A. auganus, Benth.
Habibkalla ; March.
1215. A. sp. near A. horridus, Boiss.
Sergal to Biánkhél.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 47
167. Astragalus Susianus, Boiss., var. Kuram and Habíbkalla, most profuse ; corolla lovely bright pink. Very characteristic on the dry gravel soil of the fan country.
A. (Calycophysa) ptilocephalus, Baker, n. sp. Fruticulosus, nanus, ramosissimus, foliorum delapsorum rachibus pungentibus persistentibus armatus. Folia condensata, pallide viridia, pilis albis adpressis tenuiter canescentia, foliolis 8-10 lanceolatis aeutis rigidulis complicatis subses- silibus erecto-patentibus 3-4 lin. longis, rachi subpollicari pungente, petiolo brevi, stipulis latis membranaceis petiolo longe adnatis. Flores multi, radicales, dense capitati, pedicellis subnullis, bracteis parvis membranaceis lanceolatis vel linearibus. Calyx semipollicaris, densis- sime albo pilosus, basi antice rotundatus, dentibus subulatis plumosis tubo duplo longioribus. Corolla lutea vel vetustate purpureo tincta, ealyce vix longior. Ovarium sessile, dense pilosum, ovulis paucis. Legumen ignotum.
Allied to 4. Susianus, Boiss. Same locality as above; flowers lemon-yellow.
109, 191, 476, 556. A. (Cercidothrix) cerasinus, Baker, n. sp. Herba perennis, acaulis, inermis, dense cespitosa. Folia pallide viridia, pilis hispidis adpressis albis brevibus dense canescentia, foliolis 13-19 subsessilibus orbicularibus vel obovatis 2-4 lm. longis minute cuspidatis, rachi 1-2-pollicari, petiolo elongato, stipulis parvis lanceolatis. Pedun- culus 3-2-pollicaris, albo-canescens. Hacemi pauciflori, pedicellis bre- vissimis, bracteis parvis deltoideis persistentibus. Calyx 4 lin. longus, tubo cylindrico atro-viridi pilis brevibus adpressis dense canescente, dentibus parvislinearibus. Corolla luteo-cerasina, calyce duplo longior. Legumen cylindricum, sessile, 9-10 lin. longum, obscure albo-hispidum, perfecte biloculare, 7-8-spermum.
Closely allied to the European A. incanus, L. Zabardastkalla and Alikhél; April to June.
482. A. (Hypoglottis) luteo-ceruleus, Baker, n.sp. Herba perennis, acaulis, inermis, dense czspitosa. Folia pallide viridia, utrinque pilis albis multis hispidis adpressis vestita, foliolis 26-29 oblongo-lanceolatis subsessilibus 2-6 lin. longis, rachi 1-2}-pollicari, petiolo 6-12 lin. longo, stipulis lanceolatis. Pedunculus gracilis, 2—5-pollicaris, pilis adpressis albis vestitus. Racemi capitati, 6-12-flori, pedicellis brevis- simis, bracteis parvis foliaceis lanceolatis persistentibus. Calyx 4-5 lin. longus, pilis multis elongatis albidis et nigris ascendentibus vestitus, dentibus linearibus tubo zquilongis. Corolla luteo-czrulea, 6-7 lin. longa. Legumen oblongum, turgidum, stipitatum, 4-5 lin. longum, pu- berulum, sutura ventrali introflexa, seminibus 8-10.
Allied to the European A. depressus, I. West base of Sikarám ;
June.
48 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
54. Ebenus stellata, Boiss.
A large shrub, covered with enormous harsh-looking spines, that prove quite pliant to the touch, and very silky leaves giving it the general appearance of a Hippophaé. Common from Badish- khél to Sadatkalla, and thence in occasional patches to near Sháli- zán cantonments.
240. Glycyrrhiza glandulifera, Wald. § Kit. Kuram; April.
489, Onobrychis cornuta, Desv.
From Sergal to the west base of Síkarám, about 9000 to 11,000 feet; June. Forms immense hedgehog-like, intensely matted gregarious masses, perfectly rounded, as if clipped. Flowers white or purple.
68, 86, 186. O. (Hymenobrychis) dasycephala, Baker, n. sp. Herba acaulis, perennis, radice elongata lignosa. Folia rosulata, imparipinnata, utrinque dense persistenter albo-sericea, foliolis 9-11 sessilibus, 3-4 lin. longis oblongis vel obovatis obtusis vel subacutis, rachi subpollicari, petiolo subpollicari, stipulis linearibus. Pedunculus 2-3-pollicaris, albo-canescens. Racemus dense 20-30-florus, bracteis lanceolatis, pe- dicellis brevissimis. Calyx 4-5 lin. longus, dense molliter albo-sericeus, tubo campanulato, dentibus lineari-subulatis tubo multo longioribus. Corolla 6-7 lin. longa, vexillo obovato 5-6 lin. lato luteo lineis rubris percurso, alis parvis luteis, carina lata vexillo equilonga. Legumen lanosum, oblongo-reniforme, dispermum, 6-7 lin. longum, faciebus alveo- latis breviter spinosis, margine angusto corneo dentibus multis inzequa- libus lanceolatis acuminatis 2-1 lin. longis armato.
Allied to O. dealbata, Stocks. Very profuse on stony ground in the fan country, Kuram to Habíbkalla ; April and May.
51, 85, 263. O. (Hymenobrychis) microptera, Baker, n. sp. Herba perennis, acaulis vel breviter caulescens. Folia imparipinnata, breviter albo-hirsuta, foliolis 13-15 oblongis acutis 3-4 lin. longis breviter petiolulatis, rachi 13-2 poll. longa, petiolo elongato, stipulis lan- ceolatis. Pedunculus 1-3-pollicaris. Racemus floriferus sublaxus, 14-2 poll. longus, fructiferus 3-4-pollicaris, pedicellis brevibus, bracteis parvis linearibus. Calyx 14 lin. longus, pubescens, tubo campanulato, dentibus linearibus tubo longioribus. Corolla 3-4 lin. longa, albida, lineis rubellis decorata, vexillo obovato fauce lutea, alis parvis lanceolatis, carina obtusa vexillo equilonga. Legumen orbiculari-reniforme, mono- spermum, tenuiter albo-araneosum, 4 lin. longum, faciebus profunde alveolatis haud spiniferis, margine angusto albido membranaceo eroso- denticulato.
This should be placed between species 47 and 48 in Bois-
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 49
sier’s Flora Orientalis Badishkhél to Habíbkalla, all the fan country, profuse; April.
168. Onobrychis sp. Habíbkalla; April.
512, 484. O, sp. near O. heterophylla, C. A. Mey. Profuse in the Hariáb district, dry stony soil, Sergal, Zabardast-
kalla, Bidnkhél; June.
1217. O. (Dendronobrychis) spinosissima, Baker, n. sp. Nana, fru- ticosa. Folia rosulata, basi petiolis rachibusque vetustis spinescentibus erecto-patentibus dense cincta equaliter pinnata, pallide viridia, albo- canescentia, foliolis oblongis 5-6-jugis 14-2 lin. longis, rachi vix pol- licari stricta apice pungente, petiolo brevi, stipulis parvis lanceolatis membranaceis. Racemi 1—3-flori, pedunculi radicali brevissimi, pedi- celis subnullis. Calyx 1 lin. longus, pubescens, tubo campanulato, dentibus deltoideo-cuspidatis tubo longioribus. Corolla rubello-pur- purea, 4-5 lin. longa. Legumen dimidiato-orbiculare, monospermum, 4 lin. longum, faciebus areolatis, margine exalato.
Allied to the Persian O. arnacantha, Bunge. From 9500 to
12,000 feet on Síkarám ; forms dense masses, but not nearly so
firm or so hedgehog-like as 489. 661. Lespedeza sericea, Miq.
In stony places from 6000 to 7000 feet, Shálizán, common ; June.
786. Hedysarum astragaloides, Benth. Shéndtoi at 10,000 feet ; flowers pink ; July.
810. Desmodium tiliefolium, G. Don.
Amongst the low scrub, altitude 7000 feet, near Shálizán and Shéndtoi, not very common; July. 740. Cicer soongaricum, Steph.
Kaiwás, at 10,000 feet, profuse near forest; July. 819. C. soongaricum, Steph., var. spinosum.
Seratigah, at 11,000 feet; July. 3, 714, 591. Vicia sativa, L.
A very common weed in corn-fields, Mandürí, Kaiwás, and Kar- chátal, at 3000 to 9000 feet. 188, 554, 506, 580. Ervum Ervilia, L.
Cultivated throughout the Hariáb distriet extensively, and a little near Habíbkalla ; is frequently an escape.
LINN. JOURN.— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII, E
"S ———
50 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
294. Lathyrus Aphaca, L.
Profuse as a field-weed from Kohat to Karatigah ; May and June. 581. L. sphericus, Retz.
A field-weed ; very common at Karchatal. 691, 910, 666. Glycine Soja, Sieb. g Zucc.
Largely cultivated in the Kuram district, occasionally in Hariáb, also frequent as a weed in cultivated ground; June.
973. Phaseolus vulgaris, L.
Cultivated as a field-crop near Rokian ; August. 566. Sophora (Goebelia) alopecuroides, L.
Only collected at one locality near Alikhél, on dry stony clay- soil at 7200 feet, and there it was profuse; June and July. 93. S. (Edwardsia) mollis, Royle.
From Kohat, Thal, and Kuram, through the Haridb district to Káratigah, profuse, from 2000 to nearly 10,000 feet, in pine- forests.
25. Rosacea. 419. Prunus Amygdalus, Baill.
A small tree, occurring in gregarious patches in certain loca- lities from near the Shéndtoi ravine to Káratígah. Said to be quite common by the natives, and well known to them; called by the same native name as the cultivated almond, *Bédám." The fruit is not eaten. The stems are employed as rods to carry in the hand by the priests, but are not used as we do walking-sticks ; they are considered more or less holy. In orchards a tree or two of the almond may exist; but I never saw it, nor is it cultivated, to my knowledge, in the Kuram valley.
852. P. sp. near P. Amygdalus, Baill.
The form of the fruit is quite different from that of 419, being longer and more flat. The surface of the fruit resembles that of the peach in texture and colour; and the nut is quite distinct from that of 419. The whole shrub resembles more what one might consider a wild form of the peach than that of the almond. Collected only in the Hazárdarakht ravine, fruiting in July.
108. P. eburnea, Spach ? = Griffith, no. 1212.
A. small stiff seraggy shrub which covers the whole of the open stony ground from Zabardastkalla to Alikhél; particularly cha- racteristic of the country. Flowers in April, before the leaves. The profusion of rose-pink flowers on the light-grey stems of
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 51
what is then a leafless shrub gives a brilliant colouring to the bare stony country upon whieh it grows.
Prunus persica, Benth. & Hook. f. Is sparingly cultivated in the Shálizán orchards in both forms, peach and nectarine.
P. armeniaca, L. The apricot is cultivated largely in orchards up} to 9000 feet. There are several forms of the fruit.
700. P. Cerasus, L.
The cherry. A few trees exist in the Kuram valley; I have seen two small ones at Shálizán, and I have been informed of others existing in other villages.
387, 317. P. Jacquemontii, Hook. f. in Fl. Brit. Ind. ii. p. 314. Flores rosei, foliis cozetanei, solitarii, brevissime pedunculati, 8-10 lineas dia- metro; calycis tubus cylindricus, 3-4 lineas longus, extus glaber, intu parce pilosulus ; lobi oblongi, rotundati, lineam longi, extus glabri, intus albo-pilosi; petala oblongo-elliptica, apice rotundata, 3—4 lineas longa, basi supra calycem glandula lineata notata ; stamina 25-, 30 petalis duplo triplove breviora; ovarium glabrum ; stylus exsertus.
An extremely common shrub from Shálizán to Alikhél. When the fruit is ripe and the bush is covered with it, which is usually the case, it forms a very pretty objectin the landscape. 1t would be worth cultivating for ornamental purposes.
702. P. communis, Huds., var.
The cultivated plum. The specimens were collected from trees near Kaiwás in July, that may be escapes; but apparently this tree seems to spread through the woods in the lower hills at from 7000 to 9000 feet very easily. About 20 feet high, 4 feet girth. Fruit yellow or red, resembling poorer specimens of garden fruit.
807. P. communis, Huds., var.
A cultivated plum, round and flattened at the ends, like a large greengage, but slightly purplish in colour and very watery when ripe; not fleshy, and having an extremely thin skin that completely separates from the pulp. Shéndtoi, in an old orchard, 7000 feet. Both the above plums are grown in the orchards of all the large villages of the Kuram valley, but less so in those of the Hariáb district.
387. P. Padus, L. A small tree, not very common from 7500 to 9000 feet in the E2
52 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
Shéndtoi and Gandháo villages. It is well known to the natives for its fruit, and, curiously enough, is called by a name very simi- lar to that in use in Kashmir, from the likeness of the hanging fruit to a small bunch of grapes, *Angürak."' 674. Spiræa vestita, Wall.
Common near running streams, Shálizán; June.
674a. S. vestita, Wall., forma depauperata.
Collected in the Spíngháoravine; July. 386. S. sorbifolia, L.
Profuse in water-channels in the hills from 7000 to 9000 feet. 540, 331, 232. S. brahuica, Boiss.
Very common in Kuram, Alikhél, and Shálizán.
804, 492. Rubus niveus, Wall., var. Aitchisoni, Hook. fil.
A fine rasp-like shrub, common at the upper limit of trees, growing amongst low shrubs and large boulders, and having an orange-red fruit as large as the fruit of the ordinary brambles, which is fleshy and good to eat. Shéndtoi ravine; July.
471. R. fruticosus, L., var.
Common in the vicinity of Shálizán in natural hedges around the fields and sides of water-channels. 0. R. fruticosus, L., var.
At Shálizán; August.
/65. R. purpureus, Bunge.
Not uncommon around fields, from 8000 to 9000 feet ; July. 696. R. lasiocarpus, Sm.
Shálizán; June.
492. R. leucanthus, L.
At Shálizán; May. 762, Geum urbanum, L.
Occasional at from 7000 to 8000 feet, near water, Shálizán ; July.
282. Fragaria indica, Andr.
Common on stony ground, road-sides, and at foot of walls, Shá- lizán.
994. F. vesca, L.
Very common from Kuram to Alikhél up to 10,000 feet. 747. Potentilla Sibbaldi, Haller.
On the hills, generally at 10,000 feet, on open save! ground profuse; June and July.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 53
728. Potentilla (§ Fragariastrum) Collettiana, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Nana, cæpitosa, foliis confertis trifoliolatis omnino argenteo-seri- ceis, foliolis obovato-oblongis apice truncatis et tridentatis basi cuneatis, pedunculis brevibus 1—4-floris, floribus parvis aureis, receptaculo achz- niisque sericeo-hirsutis.
Herba perennis, ceespitosa, nana, tota adpresse sericeo-argentea, caudice crasso elongato, pedunculis vel caulibus floriferis gracilibus, 1-3-polli- earibus, paucibracteatis, 1—4-floris. Folia densissime conferta, petiolata, trifoliolata; foliola sessilia, obovato-oblonga; 6-9 lineas longa, basi cuneata, apice truncata tridentata; petiolus usque ad sesquipollicaris ; stipule anguste, petiolo longe adnatz, parte libera brevi lineari acuta. Flores aurei, 6-8 lineas diametro, longiuscule pedicellati; calycislaciniz 10, ovato-oblongz, vix acute, alterne paullo breviores ; petala elliptica, utrinque rotundata, 23-3 lineas longa, laciniis calycis paullo longiora; discus carnosus, annularis, breviter lobatus ; stamina circiter 20, petalis dimidio breviora; filamenta glabra; receptaculum hirsutum. | Achenia circiter 15, immatura undique longe hirsuta.
Allied to P. curviseta, Hook. f., and P. libanotica, Boiss. Forms
a woody rootstock, with large, extremely silky, slightly 3-toothed
leaves. Growing from the face of overhanging rocks at an ele-
vation of 10,000 to 11,000 feet, forming a very handsome rock- plant with its masses of yellow flowers. Síkarám and Kaiwás.
687. P. fragarioides, L., var. pumila.
Shálizán ; June. 595. P. fragarioides, L., var. Gerardiana.
Common, Karchátal, Kaiwás, Shálizán ; May, June, July. 583. P. multifida, L.
At 11,000 feet, not common, Karchátal; June. 967. P. sericea, L., var.
At 14,000 feet on the crests of the hill above the lake; August 14th. 153. P. reptans, L.
Common from 5000 to 7000 feet. 800. P. argyrophylla, Wall.
A splendid plant, collected only in one locality, just at the limit of trees, from 11,000 to 11,500 feet, springing up from amongst other low-growing shrubs. Shéndtoi; July.
954. P. monanthes, Lindl. At 15,000 feet, Síkarám, amongst stony débris; August.
5. P. supina, L. Stony localities with moisture,from Thal to Habíbkalla, profuse.
54 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
974, Agrimonia Eupatorium, L.
Common on sides of watercourses from 6000 to 7000 feet. 1211. A. pilosa, Ledeb. iis
Near water, sides of fields, and in hedgerows, common; Shá- lizán. 185. Poterium Sanguisorba, L.
Most common on the margins of watercourses near fields. 333 Rosa damascena, Mill.
In all gardens, cultivated for ornament, not for rose-water ; June. 326. R. Eglanteria, L.
In hedges around gardens and at holy shrines; Bíánkhél, Shá- lizán ; May and June. 309. R. anserinefolia, Crepin (non Boiss.).
From the vicinity of Shálizán; profuse near streams, not . cultivated. Briar-scented.
0. R. anserinefolie, Boiss., var. cabulica = Griffith, Afghan. no. 1203. Sergal at 8500 feet, common. Indigenous. 398. R, macrophylla, Lindl. More commonly met with in the interior of the hills, or at 8500 feet, along the Hariáb district. 343. R. Webbiana, Wall.
A small erect shrub in dry stony localities, chiefly Hariáb dis- trict, but also occasional in the fan country about Shálizán; June.
472. R. moschata, Mill.
Occurs not rarely about 7000 feet in wooded localities and in the vicinity of water, climbing over trees and covering them with a sheet of blossom ; flowers in June. Is also cultivated.
04. R. canina, L., var.
Very common in hedgerows ; flowers in May. 425. R. canina, L, var.
Shálizán ; May.
165. R. Ece, Aitchison, MSS., n, sp. Humilis, ramosissima, aculeatis- sima, aculeis in ramis floriferis homomorphis rectis rigidis basi valde dilatatis, foliis parvulis 5-9-foliolatis parce glandulosis, floribus aureis
solitariis infra 1 poll. diametro, fructu globoso glabro nitido laciniis calycis reflexis coronato.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 55
Frutex erectus, 3—4-pedalis, ramosissimus, aculeatissimus, ramis gracili- usculis, junioribus ruberrimis,glabris ; aculeis in ramis floriferis homomor- phis, confertis, rectis, rigidis, basi valde dilatatis, primum ruberrimis, usque ad semipollicaribus. Folia in ramulis lateralibus brevissimis uni- floris conferta, 6-12 lineas longa, 5-9-foliolata, subtus precipue parce glandulosa ; foliola subcoriacea, ovato-oblonga obovata vel interdum fere rotundata, 2-3 lineas longa, serrulato-dentata; stipule incon- spicuz. Flores aurei, vix 1 poll. diametro, breviter pedunculati; calycis segmenta lanceolata, integerrima, vel apicem versus interdum pauciden- tata, reflexa, petala fere æquantia, extus primum glandulosa, intus albo- villosa; petala obovato-oblonga basi lata; achznia villosissima, stylis liberis apice tantum glabris. Fructus globosus, 3-4 lineas diametro, glaber, nitidus, laciniis calycinis reflexis coronatus, graciliter pedun- eulatus.
A very distinct species, remarkable for the small size of its yellow flowers and for the very broad bases of its homomorphous prickles, resembling closely in this respect the Central-Asian R. platya- cantha, Schrenck. It differs from the section Eglanteria, as de- fined by Boissier, ‘Flora Orientalis, ii. p. 669, in not having dimorphie spines, and appears to be intermediate between the Eglanterie and Boissier's section Elymaitice.
A small erect stiff shrub ; stems covered with extremely nume- rous straight prickles varying in size ; leaflets 5 to 9, very small ; flowers yellow, scarcely 1 inch in diameter; fruit small, globose, reddish, erect. A very common and characteristic shrub from Habibkalla to Alikhél, forming, with Amygdalus eburnea, the greater part of the scrub on the stony ridges of the Hariáb district. Named after Mrs. Aitchison.
Pyrus Malus, L.
Several varieties of apples are cultivatedin the orchards; none, however, very good.
P. communis, L.
I have never seen any fruit, and very occasionally a pear-tree in the gardens.
P. sp.
A middle-sized tree near Badishkhél; only one tree, not culti- vated.
/42. P. lanata, Don.
A small tree in the forests at 8000 to 10,000 feet, up the Shéndtoi and Gandháo ravines. The fruit is eagerly sought by the shepherds, and called by them “Amiok,” the same name as that applied to the fruit of Diospyros.
56 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
792. Pyrus Aucuparia, Gert.
Amongst the shrubs at the limit of forest, or nearly so, in the Shéndtoi gorge, at from 10,000 to 11,000 feet, not common; July. 0. Crategus Oxyacantha, L.
With very large fruit; may be a variety. A common shrub at 8000 feet round Shálizán; usually forms a good tree in the Hariáb district.
325. Cotoneaster bacillaris, Wall.
A large shrub, the wood of which is in much request for the handles of farm instruments, staves, and bows. Forms a great part of the serub within the hills from 7000 to 8500 feet. Searcely occurs in the Hariáb district.
204. C. nummularia, Fisch.
Occurs from the vicinity of Thal, along the whole road as far as Alikhél, making up largely with Sophora and Daphne the scrub vegetation of the stony arid spots. These three plants seem to withstand a great amount of variation of temperature.
363. C. nummularia, Fisch., var. tomentosa.
This, I have no doubt, is a distinct species. The upper surface of the leaves is extremely glabrous, whilst their under surface is excessively tomentose. The habit of the plant is very different from the type. It occurs only at about 8000 feet, and does not ascend to the Hariáb district.
182. C. vulgaris, L., var.? Fere omnino glabra, ramis gracillimis, flori- bus parvis.
A very graceful tall shrub with lax corymbose pink inflores- cence. Only collected in July, at 10,000 feet, in the high forest up the Shéndtoi gorge.
0. C.sp. Probably the as same 782.
Collected at Kaiwás; July.
26. SAXIFRAGACER. 163. Saxifraga ligulata, Wall. On damp rocks at from 8000 to 10,000 feet; profuse. In spring the flowers are greatly worn behind the ear by young men aud women of the villages.
383. S. (§ Kabschia, Engler) afghanica, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Cæspitosa, pygmzea, foliis oblongis dense imbricatis, caulibus flori- feris vix pollicaribus glandulosis szpissime trifloris, floribus majusculis pallide purpureis, petalis obovatis quam stamina longioribus, seminibus oblongis pilis brevibus debilibus sparsim instructis.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 57
Herba perennis, ezspitosa, caulibus densissime foliosis interdum usque tripollicaribus sed szpissime vix pollicaribus. Folia dense im- bricata, carnosa, oblonga, 3-4 lineas longa, obtusa, supra parce foveo- lata, margine anguste cartilaginea, infra medium ciliata, caulina spathu- lata vel lineari-oblonga, glandulosa; caules floriferi glandulosi, vix polli- cares, sepissime triflori. lores pallide purpurei, circiter 6 lineas dia- metro; ealycis glandulosi segmenta oblonga, obtusa; petala obovata, 5-nervia, staminibus longiora; styli elongati, demum divergentes. Cap- sula globosa; semina minuta, oblonga, pilis brevibus debilibus sparsim conspersa.
Near S. Kotschyi, Boiss., but differing in the colour and size of the flowers, in the relative length of the petals and stamens, and in the seeds, as well as in the cymes being almost constantly three-flowered. A very characteristic rock-plant, covering stones like rich moss; would prove very effective in a rockery. The flower is a grey- purple, and extremely large for the short mossy stem ; it is borne on a peduncle of an inch in length. Chiefly met with in the Shéndtoi gorge at from 7500 to 11,000 feet. Flowers from May to July.
943. Parnassia ovata, Ledeb.
In grassy spots at the exits of springs, altitude 9000 to 11,000 feet; common in the vicinity of Síkarám ; August.
413. Ribes Grossularia, L.
Very profuse at the base of Síkarám and westward to Será- tigah, in certain localities, amongst thin forests, altitude 9000 to 10,000 feet. In one or two villages of the Hariáb district it is employed as a hedge-plant. The fruit is much superior to that produced in Ladák.
128. R. orientale, Poir.
A very common shrub in rocky dry situations throughout the Hariáb district up to an altitude of 11,000 feet. The berries, called “Aksiswérai,’ are considered an excellent purgative taken one or two at a time.
0. R. rubrum, L. var.
A handsome leafy bush at 9000 to 11,000 feet, under trees in the forest, Shéndtoi gorge; August, in fruit.
27. CRASSULACEZ.
456. Crassula sp.
On rocks in the Shéndtoi gorge, common; June.
538. Cotyledon (§ Umbilicus) tenuicaulis, Aitchison et Hemsley, n.sp. Perennis, minima, foliis radicalibus rosulatis oblongo-spathulatis vix
58 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
semipollicaribus, caulibus floriferis extrarosularibus gracillimis glandu- loso-puberulis, floribus roseis vel purpureis parvis dichotomo-cymosis, corollz lobis longe acuminatis apiculatis erectis tubo paullo longioribus. Herba perennis, gracillima caulibus floriferis glanduloso-puberulis 2-4- pollicaribus. Folia radicalia et caulina inferiora rosulata, carnosa, obovato-spathulata, 2—4 lineas longa, primum albo-furfuracea, caulina superiora minima, linearia, appressa. Flores pallide rosei, 2-23 lineas longi, dichotomo-cymosi ; calycis glanduloso-puberuli lobi ovati, obtu- siusculi, semilineam longi; corolle obsolete puberulz lobi longe acumi- nati, apiculati, carinati, tubo longiores; stamina inclusa; filamenta fili- formia. Carpella glabra. This differs from all other species of the section Rosularia in its small size, slender habit, and small flowers. Alikhél; June.
243. Cotyledon (Umbilicus) papillosa, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Humilis, ramosa, foliis confertis carnosis obovato-spathulatis glabris, ra- mulis floriferis floribusque dense glanduloso-papillosis, floribus numerosis parvis albo-roseis, corolla lobis erectis carinatis apice apiculatis breviter recurvatis dorso papillosis tubo paullo longioribus. :
Herba perennis, 3-4-pollicaris, basi ramosa, ramulis floriferis graciliusculis floribusque dense glanduloso-papillosis. Folia carnosa, in ramis sterili- bus conferta, sed vix rosulata, in ramis floriferis sparsa et sursum gra- datim minora, inferiora glabra vel cito glabreseentia, obovato-spathulata, usque ad 8 lineas longa, superiora lineari-oblonga, papillosa. Flores albo-rosei, numerosi, ad 2% lineas longi, cymosi, breviter pedicellati ; calycis glanduloso-papillosi lobi lanceolato-oblongi, obtusiusculi ; corolla calyce fere duplo longior, extus glanduloso-papillosa ; lobi erecti, carinati, paice breviter recurvato-apiculati; stamina 10, inclusa; filamenta filifor- mia; squamze parve, subquadrato-oblonge. Carpella glabra.
In habit this resembles the Sikkim C. obovata, which has larger, yellow, less numerous flowers. Kuram; April.
851. Sedum asiaticum, DC.
Serátígah, altitude 13,000 feet; July.
0. S. rosulatum, Edgew.
936, 1000. S. Ewersii, Ledeb.
Profuse in rocks from 9000 to 12,000 feet.
469. S. pachyclados, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Perenne, nanum, glaberrimum, rhizomate crasso sepissime ramoso, ramis (caudiculis
auct.) apice tantum foliosis, ramulis floriferis axillaribus brevissimis
paucifloris, foliis rosulatis parvis carnosis apice sepe 3-5-dentatis floribus stramineis mediocribus.
Herba perennis, nana, omnino glaberrima, rhizomate crasso usque ad 5- pollicari sepissime ramoso; rami ad 3 lineas diametro, apice tantum
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 59
foliosi; ramuli floriferi axillares, 6-12 lineas longi, 2-10-flori. Folia carnosa, rosulata, obovato-spathulata vel suborbicularia, 3-5 lineas longa, apice seepe 3-5-dentata, caulina obovata basi soluta. Flores stra- minei, 4-5 lineas diametro, brevissime pedicellati ; sepala subcarnosa, oblonga, obtusa, petalis 3-3 breviora, basi haud producta ; petala tenuia, oblongo-spathulata, obtusa, subtrinervia; stamina 10, alterna petalis adnata, filamentis filiformibus petalis paullo brevioribus. Carpella subinflata, longe rostrata, oligosperma ; semina matura non visa. This species is very distinct from all others that we have seen. Profuse in rocks between Shálizán and Shéndtoi; June and July.
937. Sedum adenotrichum, Wall. At 11,000 feet, Sikarám ; August.
935. Sempervivum acuminatum, Dene. Very profuse on the ascent to Síkarám and to Serátígah, on
stony débris at 10,000 to 12,000 feet; August.
98. HAMAMELIDEE.
29]. Parrottia Jacquemontiana, Dene.
A very abundant shrub, occurring in the interior of the hills and forming much of the low dense shrub-jungle which grows in the damper localities and northern exposure of these hills from 7500 to 9000 feet (if so much). The long slender stems and pliant branches are much employed in making the wicker-work of which most of the houses in the villages consist, and which are plastered over with clay, also as handles for ordinary farm implements axes, &c.
29. My &TACEE.
47. Myrtus communis, L.
Occasionally met with in local dense clumps on cultivated land. Inall cases the bushes seem very old, and most probably had been planted beside graves. Very common in this form near Ibra- himzai, Alizai, and Badishkhél, villages on the Kuram river, from 3500 to 4000 feet in altitude. Not seen near Kuram. I never met with solitary bushes.
30. LyTHRACEZ.
0. Ammannia senegalensis, Lamk. In rice-fields at Shálizán, August; very common.
0. Punica granatum, L. A common wild shrub, forming part of the scrub of the outer hills at from 6500 to 7000 feet ; not in the Hariáb district.
60 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
31. ONAGRACER.
1008, Epilobium angustifolium, L.
A very handsome and characteristic plant at 10,000 to 11,000 feet, near moisture. 781. E. angustifolium, L., var. brachycarpum.
In similar localities to the above ; August. 875. E. hirsutum, L., var. sericeum.
Very common from Kuram to Habíbkalla, up to 7000 feet, in wet localities. 939. E. roseum, Sch.?
Sikarám, in stony beds of streams at 11,000 feet. 651. E. tetragonum, L.
Very common around Shálizán ; July and August. 0. E. sp.
Shálzán; June.
32. CUCURBITACES.
3. Cucumis Melo, L., var.
The specimens collected were of the form usually occurring as a weed all over the dry hot fan country, sides of fields, &c. Melons, water-melons, cucumbers, and gourds are very largely cultivated from Thal to the foot of the Péwárkotal; scarcely any of these, except a cucumber, in the Hariáb district.
533. Bryonia dioica, Jacq.
A most extensive weed, covering the hedgerows in the Hariáb district. Specimens of this plant were collected by the Rev. Mr Jaeschke in Lahul, and are in the Kew Herb., but were overlooked
by Mr. C. B. Clarke in his monograph of the order in the * Flora of British India.'
33. UMBELLIFERZ. 472 a. Eryngium ceruleum, Bieb.? At Shalizan; May. 427. E. Billardieri, Delar. Shálizán, very common ; June. 0. Bupleurum falcatum, L., var. linearifolium.
Kaiwás, very common and generally all over the district above 4000 feet alt.; June.
0, B. falcatum, L.? Alikhél; July.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 61
929. Bupleurum sp. A very abundant, creeping, close-growing plant amongst stones at 12,000 to 14,000 feet, Síkarám ; August.
663, Apium graveolens, L. Very common at about 7000 feet, along banks of watercourses and at spring-heads on rocks, Shálizán; June.
417. Conopodium sp.
Shálizán; June. 513, Carum Bulbocastanum, Koch ( — Stocks, 1056).
Profuse, Biánkhél, under bushes at from 2000 to 3000 feet ; June. This plant also occurs in large quantity in the Rawul Pindee district of the Punjab.
478. C. Bulbocastanum, Koch, var.
Zabardastkalla, in fields, profuse; June. Wild pigs cause great injury in fields where this and the last species are prevalent as weeds by uprooting the tubers.
296, 248. C. copticum, Zenth.
Cultivated more or less in small patches of garden ground, mixed up with several other vegetables. Very common, either as an escape or spontaneously, from Thal to Alikhél; May and June.
895, 991. Pimpinella diversifolia, DC.
Péwárkotal and Shéndtoi at an altitude of 8500 feet, profuse under trees; July and August. 752. P. ap. *
Shéndtoi, in dry stony spots; July. 846. P. sp.
Drékalla, very rare in certain localities amongst the broken débris of stones; July. 772. Cherophyllum reflexum, Lindl.
Shéndtoi, profuse in grassy wet ground associated with Pedi- cularis, Primula, Caltha, &c., at 9000 feet ; July. 592. Scandix Pecten-Veneris, L.
Fields, not common, Karchátál; June. 873. Seseli sibiricum, Benth.
Very eommon and prominent on large rocks, Alikhél and Sergal; August. 514. Conium maculatum, L.
Bíánkhél only, round the village; June. This plant had not previously been collected so far east.
62 SURG.-MAJ. J. E, T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
311. Foeniculum vulgare, Gaertn.
Cultivated as Carum copticum is, and, like it, often an escape, or probably indigenous.
854. Prangos pabularia, Lindl.
Serátigah, at 9000 feet, very common; also Drékalla. July was far too late to collect this plant, as I could scarcely get even a few leaves. I found no fruit.
821. Ligusticum ?
Not uncommon from 11,000 to 15,300 feet, Serátigáh, Sikaram, &e., in clefts of rocks. Very late in flowering, not in good flower, and no sign of fruit August 4th. The Goorkhas would eat it, and said they knew what it was quite well; they upset all my arguments on the subject by telling me they had on their hills every plant we saw, besides thousands of others.
992. Selinum papyraceum, C. B. Clarke.
Shéndtoi, in moist ground, 9000 feet ; August.
953. Pleurospermum (Hymenolena) corydalifolium, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Glaberrimum, caule cavo subsimplici, foliis radicalibus amplis longe petiolatis bipinnatisectis, segmentis secundi ordinis pro- funde palmatisectis, segmentis ultimis angustis acutis vel obtusiusculis, involucro szepissime bibracteolato, umbella composita 3-7-radiata, brac- teolis plurimis amplis integris quam pedicelli longioribus bracteisque albis, fructus immaturi jugis primariis alatis.
Herba erecta, 9 poll. usque ad bipedalis, omnino glaberrima, caule erecto cavo subsimplici tenuiter striato. Folia oblonga vel rhomboidea, bi- pinnatisecta, lamina usque ad 6-pollicari; segmenta secundi ordinis subrhomboidea, profunde palmatisecta; segmenta ultima angusta, acuta vel obtusiuscula; petiolus teres, basi tantum dilatatus, foliorum radicalium usque ad 8-pollicaris; vagine foliorum supremorum bractez et bracteole albe. ^ Umbelle composite, 3-7-radiate, maxime 24 poll. diametro; radii usque ad sesquipollicares, striati; involucri bractez szepissime 2, interdum 3, inzequales, oblong, integra, 3-9 lineas longz et usque 3 lineas late, adscendentes; umbellule multiflore ; pedicelli graciles, breves; bracteole pulchre, preter costam viridam albz et interdum roseo tinctze (more Astrantie) ovato-elliptice, integræ, pedicellis longiores. Flores albi, majusculi; calycis dentes majusculi, acuti ; petala zequalia, orbicularia, apice inflexa ; discus maximus, carnosus, margine undulatus ; styli longiusculi, demum reflexi. Fructus imma- turus ovato-oblongus, subteres, jugis primariis distincte alatis; vallecule univittatze ?
This species is nearest to Hymenolena Lindleyana, Klotzsch in Reise Pr. Waldem., Bot. p. 150, t. 49; Pleurospermum stella-
tum, Benth., var. Lindleyana, C. B. Clarke in Fl. Brit. Ind. ii
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 63
p. 705, but it is very different from it in foliage and the bracts of the involucre. The large white involucre makes this a most at- tractive plant. It is common from 9000 to 14,000 feet on shelving rocks and in dampish localities, Síkarám, Shéndtoi; August.
743, 744. Pleurospermum (Hymenolena) pulchrum, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Elatum, glaberrimum, caule solido seepe ramoso, foliis mediocribus bipinnatisectis, segmentis ultimis pinnatifidis acutis, cauli- norum vaginis bracteis numerosis bracteolisque albo vel roseo marginatis, umbellis umbellulisque multiradiatis, bracteis reflexis szepissime tri- fidis, fructu ovato-oblongo a latere leviter compresso, jugis primariis alatis, valleculis univittatis, seminibus liberis suleatis.
Herba erecta, 2-3-pedalis, omnino glaberrima, caule erecto sepe ramoso solido pro genere gracili tenuiter albo vel purpureo-striato folioso. Folia fere equaliter triangularia vel rhomboidea, subternatim bipinnatisecta, lamina 2-3 poll.longa et lata; segmenta secundaria rhomboidea, pinna- tifida; segmenta ultima acuta; petiolus gracilis, basi tantum dilatatus, usque 4-pollicaris, sursum gradatim angustior; foliorum caulinorum vaginz bractez et bracteole albo vel roseo marginate. Umbelle com- posite, multiradiate, maxime 4 poll. diametro ; radii usque ad 23 poll. longi, tenuiter sulcati et furfuracei; bracteze numerosæ, ample, 6-12 lineas longze, reflexze, scepissime trifidee; umbellulee multiflora; pedicelli graciles, breves; bracteole reflexze, lanceolatz, acute, interdum trifide, pedicellis paullo longiores. Flores albi vel roseo tincti, majusculi; calycis dentes minuti, acuti; petala :equalia, suborbicularia, apice inflexa; discus maximus, carnosus, margine undulatus; styli longiusculi, demum retlexi. Fructus ovato-oblongus, ad 3 lineas longus, a latere leviter compressus, rugosus, jugis primariis distinete alatis ; valleculz univittate, vittis tenuissimis ; semina undique libera, facie interiore sulcata.
A. very distinct species, especially in its tall stature and slender habit. Not eommon under rocks at from 8000 to 12,000 feet ;
July and August. 834. Ferula Jaeschkeana, Vatke.
This plant may be said to cover the ground in the thin forests on the road between Drékalla and Káratígah, yet with rare ex- ception did I find it in fruit, owing to my being too late in the season. These forests should be visited in June. It is common enough on all the hills to the north of the Hariáb district, at 10,000 to 11,000 feet.
848, 930, 738, 948. Peucedanum sp.,= Griffith, 1108.
Common on stony ground at from 9000 to 12,000 feet, Kaiwás,
Drékalla, and Síkarám ; August. 760. Heracleum sp. near H. candicans, Wall. Near water, sides of fields, common at 7000 feet; July.
64. SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
880, 906. Daucus Carota, L.
Specimens from cultivation. Cultivated as a field crop in the Hariáb district up to 9000 feet; the produce, however, is poor. No 906 is undoubtedly the wild state, as this plant was collected by me oceasionally throughout the hills and fields from 7000 to 9000 feet. July and August.
679, 907. Caucalis Anthriscus, Scop.
Fields, very common, Shálizán ; June to August. 226, 505. C. latifolia, L.
Very common in the Hariáb district, June to August ; Kuram, April.
34. ARALIACER.
164. Hedera Helix, L.
Very common in the moist woods, but chiefly trailing on the ground, scarcely ever climbing trees ; not noticed in the Hariáb district. Fruit yellow or reddish.
GAMOPETALZ.
85. CAPRIFOLIACE X.
230, 290. Viburnum cotinifolium, Don.
A very common shrub from 7000 to 9000 feet in the Kuram district; not uncommon on the outer edge of forests in the Hariáb district; May and June.
341. Abelia triflora, R. Br., var. parvifolia. A very common dense shrub from 7000 to 10,000 feet, Kuram district; June to July. Not in Hariáb.
131, 466. Lonicera alpigena, L. A large shrub;from 10,000 to 11,000 feet alt. ; not uncommon in Kaiwás and Shéndtoi; July.
830. L. glauca, Hook. f. & Thoms.
At Serátigah, 13,000 feet, where it grows in fissures of rocks, which renders it very difficult to get good specimens. Flowers lemon-yellow.
535. L. Griffithii, Hook. f. § Thoms.
A magnificent climber,with very handsome rose-coloured flowers; common from the base of Péwárkotal, alt. 7000 feet, to Alikhél and Karatigah; July and August.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 65
494, Lonicera microphylla, Willd. West base of Sikardm, from 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Flowers
whitish yellow, fruit bright red; June to August.
393. L. Myrtillus, Hook. f. § Thoms. From 9000 to 14,000 feet, in Shéndtoi and Sikarém. Flowers
waxy white, fruit orange-red. 1221. L. obovata, Royle.
A woody close-growing shrub, Sikarám, at 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Fruit deep purple.
739, L. orientalis, Lamk. At 12,000 feet on hills north of Kaiwás ; July.
509, 162, 550. L. quinquelocularis, Hardw.
A large shrub, almost a tree in some places. Very common from 7000 to 9000 feet, forming much of the low scrub on northern exposures and in shaded localities. It sheds the ex- ternal layers of its bark in long fibrous strips resembling coarse hemp-fibre; this is collected and employed as rope, but has little or no strength. Only suitable for stuffing mattresses and such purposes. Flowers largish, yellow ; ApriltoJune. Kuram and
occasional in the Hariáb district.
1222. L. sericea, Royle. (L. purpurascens, Jacq.) Shéndtoi, at 10,000 feet ; August.
36. RuBIACEX.
552, Callipeltis Cucullaria, Stev.
Alikhél, profuse under shrubs and stony ground; June. 628, 256. Rubia cordifolia, L.
A very common weed in hedges all over the country, always in damp localities, from Kuram to Alikhél; May and June. 629, 351, 563. R. Kotschyi, Boiss.
In similar localities to the former and as common. The roots are employed in colouring hard boiled eggs for religious feasts, 156, 37. Galium Aparine, L.
Habibkalla ; April.
0. G. tricorne, L. Shálizán; June. 797. G. asperifolium, Wall.
Shéndtoi, at 10,000 feet; July and August.
LINN. JOURN.—BOTANY, VOL, XVIII, F
66 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
401. Asperula odorata, L. Very common at 9000 feet from Shéndtoi and Kaiwás; May and July. 467, 366. A. Cynanchica, L. Hanging in great bunches from the damp rocks in Shéndtoi gorge; also common near Kaiwás, 7000 to nearly 9000 feet. 618. A. pycnantha, Boiss. A large climber, Shéndtoi ; June. 631. A. sp. Shálizán, in woods; June. 517. Crucianella glomerata, Zieb. Profusely covers the dry stony soil on exposed ridges, Bíánkhél.
37. VALERIANEJE. 829. Valeriana dioica, L.
Serátigah, at 13,000 feet, not common ; July. 380. V. Wallichiana, DC.
Profuse, Shéndtoi, at 9,000 feet. Its large rootstocks are collected for their scent and exported. Also Kaiwás; July. 192. V. sp.,— Griffith, no. 759.
Common under bushes at Alikhél in April.
956. V. petrophila, Zunge. Sikardm, at 14,000, on shady rocks; August. 98. V. sp. Alikhél, amongst shrubs; April. 219, 59. Valerianella, sp.,=Stocks, 891. Very common on dry stony soil, Kuram district, to 6000 feet.
38. Dipsacacez. 490. Morina persica, L. Very common up to 9000 feet, on exposed bare pieces of hill-side.
Flowers rose-pink. My specimens unite M. Wallichiana, Royle, with M. Persica, L.
746. M. Coulteriana, Royle.
At and above 11,000 to 13,000 feet this yellow-flowered species quite replaces M. Persica, which grows at a lower altitude, and never ascends fairly up to the region of this plant.
658. Cephalaria syriaca, Schrad, Shálizán; June,
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 67
642, 641. Cephalaria sp.
Shálizán; June. 551. Scabiosa Olivierii, Coult.
Common in dry stony localities from Kuram to Alikhél; May and June.
707. S. sp.
Kaiwás; July. 82. S. sp.
Extremely profuse everywhere, from Kuram all over the dry country to Alikhél and Káratigah ; May and June.
883. S. (Pterocephalus) afghanica, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp.,—761 and 856, Griffith. Suffruticosa, cæspitosa, nana, ramis brevissimis, foliis viride puberulis spathulatis et integerrimis vel lyrato-pinnatifidis, capi- tulis breviter pedunculatis vel subsessilibus szepe 18-25-floris, involucello truncato, calycis aristis 17-18. :
Suffrutez densissime cespitosus, 1-3 poll. altus, ramis procumbentibus crassis. Folia conferta, sessilia, spathulata, integerrima vel anguste lyrato-pinnatifida, 6-15 lineas longa, minute puberula, viridia. Capitula solitaria, terminalia vel pseudo-terminalia, szepe 18-12-flora, subsessilia, vel pedunculo usque ad pollicari ; involucri bractez 9-11, pubescentes, lanceolatz, biseriatz, floribus breviores. Flores lilacini, exteriores bila- biati, interiores tubulosi, 5-dentati ; receptaculum pilosum ; involucellum sericeo-hirsutum, truncatum ; calycis aristz 17-18, plumosæ, corollz fere æquilongæ ; corolla extus hirsuta.
Allied to Pterocephalus Parnassi, Spreng., and P. Pinardi, Boiss., from both of which it is readily distinguished by its almost glabrous foliage and other characters. Very local, but gregarious in great patches. Bidnkhél, Sergal, west base of Síkarám, alt. 9000 feet. Has a very large purple handsome inflorescence for
a small stunted woody-rooted plant.
89. COMPOSITÆ.
1237. Solidago Virga-aurea, L. Shéndtoi, 8000 to 9000 feet, common; July.
994. Myriactis Wallichii, Less. Profuse at 8000 to 10,000 feet ; Shéndtoi; August.
244. Aster altaicus, Willd.
One of the most common plants in the dry country from Thal to Alikhél, all through the summer and late into winter; November 1878. The flowers vary greatly in size.
r2
68 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
812. Aster Amellus, L.
A very handsome plant, hanging from clefts of rocks, from 7000 to 8000 feet.
951. A. Heterocheta, Benth. Common on rock débris from 13,000 to 14,000 feet, on ridges of Síkarám. Flowers a fine purple, large; August. 901. A. roseus, Stev. ? Shálizán, near water; July. 963. Erigeron acris, L., var. alpina, Lamk.
Profuse on rocks at 10,000 feet (above 67th Regiment encamp- ments) at the foot of Sikarám.
496. E. andryaloides, C. B. Clarke,
Base of Sikarém, common in pine-forests at 10,000 to 11,000 feet; June.
292. E. monticola, Wail. Shálizán, in fields; May. 784. E. multiradiatus, Benth.
In dry beds of streams, amongst stones, at 9000 to 10,000 feet ; August.
1236. Brachyactis robusta, Benth.
Common in moist places at 8000 to 9000 feet, Shéndtoi; August. 920. B. pubescens, Aitch. & Clarke (Conyza pubescens, DC.).
On stony ground, Péwárkotal, and ascending Síkarám ; August. 4, Blumea Wightiana, DC.
A common herb near water, on moist clay-banks ; odour men- thoid.
1224. Filago arvensis, L. Bíánkhél; August. 778. Leontopodium alpinum, Cass. Common on exposed hill-sides, from 10,000 to 14,000 feet. 914. Anaphalis tenella, DC. Sikarám, at and above 11,000 feet. 1225. A. virgata, Thoms. Common from 9000 to 13,000 feet, Shéndtoi, Kaiwás, and Sikarám ; August. 1223. A. sp. near A. Falconeri, C. B. Clarke. Large pink-flowered species, common with the last. 801. A. sp. Shéndtoi; July.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETO.. AFGHANIS TAN. 69
564. Phagnalon acuminatum, Boiss. At Alikhél; June. 229, 298. P. denticulatum, Dene. At Shálizán, amongst stones; April and May. 266. Gnaphalium crispatulum, Delile. Kuram; April. 200, 253, 283, 567. G. luteo-album, L., var. (G. confusum, DC.) Common from Kuram to Alikhél, usually on wet rocks ; May and June. 976. Inula/Caspia, Blume. Alikhél, profuse; August. 942. I. rhizocephaloides, C. B. Clarke. At spring-heads, appearing amongst grass; common from 8500 to 11,000 feet; August. 987. Carpesium cernuum, L., var. pubescens (sp., Wall.). In orchards, Shálizán; August. 268. Xanthium Strumarium, L. Profuse in fields in the Hariáb district ; August. 1228. Siegesbeckia orientalis, L. À. common field-weed at Shálizán; August. 7. Eclipta alba, Hassk. Near water, Mandüri; April. 660, 932. Bidens pilosa, L. Shálizán, on open stony ground; June. 972. B. tripartita, L. In fields between Alikhél and Drékalla. 60, 245. Achillea leptophylla, Bieb. Profuse on occasionally inundated clay soils, Sadatkalla and Kuram ; April. 675. Chrysanthemum Parthenium, Benth. Near Shálizán ; June and July. 479. Matricaria disciformis, DC. a A profuse weed in fields all over the Hariab district; June. 593. M. suaveolens, L. In fields at Karchátal; June. 572. Tanacetum millefoliatum, Fisch. & Mey. Very local in the Hariáb district ; June and July. 820. T. sp. = Griffith, no. 941. A very woody shrub from 10,000 to nearly 13,000 feet, Será- tigah, Sergal, and Síkarám. r
70 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
865. Artemisia Absinthium, L.
Extremely common from Kuram and Shálizán to Alikhél ; July. 1231. A. parviflora, Roxb.
Common in the plain country from Kuram to Habibkalla; July.
1232. A. persica, Boiss. Sergal, from 10,000 to 11,000 feet ; August. 872. A. scoparia, Wald. & Kit.
Profuse shrub, 8000 to 9000 feet, Hariáb district. 984. A. Tournefortiana, Reich.
Grows to the height of nearly 7 feet. Common in the fields of the Hariáb district and occasional about Shálizán ; does not flower until September.
173. Tussilago Farfara, L.
Common in the Hariáb district; April to July. 996, 773. Senecio chrysanthemoides, DC.
Shéndtoi, from 8000 to 10,000 feet, amongst grass in open spots. Very local, and giving distinct coloured patches to the hill- sides; July and August.
546. S. coronopifolius, Desf.
Alikhél; June.
1230. S. pallens, Wall., var. violacea.
Not uncommon at 8000 to 9000 feet, from Kaiwás to Shá- lizán.
1229. S. sisymbriiformis, DC.
Amongst stones in water near Sergal, not common; August. 833. Ligularia persica, Boiss.
Káratígah at 9000 feet. Spike of inflorescence very handsome. 77. Othonnopsis intermedia, Boiss.
The characteristic shrub of the Kuram plains and dry water- courses. Tt has vertical leaves, and the flowers are produced all the summer.
522. Atractylis cuneata, Boiss. :
Profuse, in the Hariáb district only, at 7000 to 9000 feet;
flowers in August. 683. Arctium Lappa, Willd.
A weed in orchards at Shálizán; June.
1233, Cousinia microcarpa, Boiss. ? = Griffith, no. 3269.
At Drékalla; August.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETO., AFGHANISTAN. 71
837. Cousinia minuta, Boiss.
Drékalla; July.
1226. C. multiloba, DC.= Griffith, nos. 3327 & 3326.
At Biánkhél, common to 9000 feet.
1234. C. sp. (probably the same as 1226). 850. C. racemosa, Boiss.
The most common Cousinia at 8000 to 11,00 feet, from Kuram along the dry country and on the Mergs at the Kotal. 923. C. sp.
Common from 9000 to 11,000 feet, Síkarám. A species be- tween C. multiloba, DC., and my 921.
921. C. sp. :
This is an extremely woolly form. Síkarám, from 10,000 to 14,000 feet, on stony ground.
922. C. sp.
Síkarám, 11,000 to 13,000 feet. The leaves on drying become quite yellow, as if a dye had become matured in the process of drying.
971. C. sp., near C. heterolepidis, C. Koch.
On fields near Alikhél; August.
362. C. sp. near C. microcarpa, Boiss.— Griffith, 3271.
A dry hot-country form from Kuram to Shálizán and Habib- kalla, amongst stones.
221, 301, 706. Carduus acanthoides, L. Common everywhere in fields from 5000 to 9000 feet. /51, 877. Cnicus argyranthus, DC. Kaiwás and Shálizán to Shéndtoi. It is a moist-country plant, also met with in great luxuriance in the Murree Himalaya. 698. C. arvensis, Hoffm. : ; A common field-weed in the Hariáb district, and occasional round Shálizán ; June. 970. C. horridus, Bieb. ; Amongst débris at Drékalla, at 8500 feet, growing to 5 feet in height. 871. Onopordon Acanthium, L. Hariáb district only. A large plant surrounding village filth- pits. 319, 888, 913. Saussurea hypoleuca, Spreng. : One of the few plants to be found growing freely under pine-
72 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
trees. Hariáb district and occasional near Sbálizán ; July and August.
29, 470. Centaurea Calcitrapa, L. i Common from Rohat to Shálizán, and I think in the Hariáb district; April to June.
160, 836. C. depressa, Bieb. In corn-fields, from Kuram to Káratigah ; April to July.
633. C. Picris, Pail. In fields both at Sergal (8500 feet) and Shálizán, common ; August.
1227. C. virgata, Lamk. Between Zabardastkalla and Drékalla.
1235. Carthamus oxyacantha, Bieb. Péwárkotal; August.
399. Ainsliea aptera, DC. In damp forests from 8000 to 9000 feet ; Shéndtoi.
721, 392, Pertya Aitchisoni, C. B. Clorke,n.sp. Foliis integris glabris, capitulis in ramis lateralibus abbreviatis sessilibus quasi racemum simpli- cem terminalem densiusculum efformantibus, phyllariis obtusis albide lanatis, achenio glabro glandulis stipitatis minutissime insperso, pappo albo.
Frutex. Folia alterna, sub capitulis aggregata. Pappus fructüs tempore albus. Quoad cztera cum P. scandente, Schultze-Bip. in Bonplandia, 1862, t. 10, congruens.
Differunt :—
(a) P. scandens, Schultz-Bip. l. c., foliis lanceolatis denticulatis, capi- tulis in ramis brevibus divaricatis solitariis terminalibus 5-floris, phyllariis acutis fere glabris, achenio piloso, pappo proventu roseo-rufescente.
(8) P. ovata, Maxim. Mél. Biol. viii. 8, foliis ovatis denticulatis, capitulis in ramis elongatis solitariis terminalibus 15-floris, phyllariis acutis fere glabris, achenio sericeo, pappo proventu rufescente. Franch. et Savat. Enum. Pl. Jap. i. 265 errant ; folia enim in his 3 speciebus alterna sunt.— C. B. CLARKE.
A common shrub from 8 to 4 feet in height, with willow-like leaves and long slender branches. Common at 9000 to 11,000 feet, forming the undergrowth on the margins of forests. Also hanging from shady rocks, Kaiwás and Shéndtoi; July and August. This genus was previously only known from Japan.
324, 616. Cichorium Intybus, L.
Kuram and Shálizán, common, not Hariáb district; May and June.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 78
518. Keelpinia linearis, Pall.
Profuse on hot exposed gravel soil near Bíánkhél. 805. Picris hieracioides, L.
A profuse field-weed at Katskallé, 7000 feet ; July.
945. Crepis Kotschyana, Boiss. On the Sergal stream at the base of Síkarám, alt. 8500 feet; August.
839, 859. C. sp. near Youngia glauca (Edgw.). Very common from Alikhél to Drékalla; July. 312. C. sp. Shálizan; June. 562. C. sp. Alikhél; June. /9, 32. Taraxacum Dens-leonis, Desf. Common from Badishkhél to Habíbkalla. 966. T. montanum, C. A. Mey. At Sergal and between Rokian and Drékalla, very local. An extremely woolly plant; the leaves appear first, dying as the plant flowers and fruits; August.
450. T. parvulum, Wall. ? In all pine-forests in the Hariáb district, common at 8500 feet.
997. Prenanthes sp. near P. levigata, Wall. From 9000 to 11,500 feet, in damp woods at Shéndtoi. Flowers a lovely purple.
717. Lactuca auriculata, DC. A profuse weed on the margins of fields at Shálizán &c. ; flowers late in August. 997 1 1225. L. orientalis, Boiss. Very common sticky plant on stony ground in Hariáb district.
999. L. rapunculoides, C. B. Clarke. Common.
- L. sp.
884. L. viminea, Link. Very profuse in the Hariáb district along with L. orientalis ; both are very characteristic plants; July.
329, L. sp. near L. polycephala, C. B. Clarke. At Shálizán, on hot dry stony places, common; May.
74 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
35, 303. Sonchus arvensis, L. Common up to 9000 feet, from Badishkhél. 306, 673, 704. S. asper, L. Common in the vicinity of Shálizán and Kuram. 589. Microrhynchus asplenifolius, DC. Profuse on rocks, Karchátal; June. 672. M. secundus, Royle. Not common, Shálizán; June.
83, 178. Tragopogon junceum, Wall.
Common under pine-trees, Habíbkalla, Serátígah, Sikarám up to nearly 14,000 feet, and Kuram; April to August. 84, 112, 123, 187. Scorzonera mollis, Bieb.
From Kuram up to 12,000 feet on Sikarám, also profuse on the Kuram plains, where it has alarge tuberous root. April. 504. Composita, sp.
Radical leaves only. Síkarám; June.
40. CAMPANULACEX.
784. Codonopsis ovata, Benth. Spring-heads in moist meadow-ground at the base of Sikaram and near Kaiwás, altitude 10,000 feet, common ; July and August.
297, 669. Campanula colorata, Wall.= Griffith, no. 694. Common near Shálizán and Habibkalla on dry walls and stones ; May and June.
530. C. Griffithii, Hook. f. § Thoms. Common, Hariáb to Drékalla. A small stiff erect plant on open ground in stony soil; June and July. 0. C. evolvulacea, Royle. Karchátal; June. 941 C. sp. Sikarám, from 11,000 to 12,000 feet ; August. 541. C. sp. Alikhél, characteristic of clefts of rocks with Dionysia &c. ; June. 941. C. sp. Common from Shéndtoi to Sergal and Síkarám; July and August.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC. AFGHANISTAN. ^ 76
41. ERICACEX.
457. Rhododendron afghanicum, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Hu- milis, foliis mediocribus subtus lepidotis, pedunculis longiusculis 10-15 aggregatis, calyce inzequaliter 5-partito, segmentis brevibus rotundatis, corolla campanulata omnino glaberrima, lobis tubum equantibus ; stami- nibus 10 exsertis; ovario 5-loculare, stylo a basi abrupte curvo quam stamina paullo breviora.
Frutex venenatus, humilis, supra rupes repens et radicans, ramis junioribus minutissime lepidotis. Folia petiolata, coriacea, sempervirentia, lanceo- lato-oblonga, 1à-23-polliearia, obtusa, supra glabra, subtus lepidota, lepidibus orbicularibus peltatis. Flores albo-virides, racemoso-corym- bosi, longiuscule pedunculati, corymbis 10-15-floris ante anthesin brac- teatis; bracteze pluriseriatz, rotundate, mucronate, ciliolate, exteriores haud minores ; calyx 5-partitus, lepidotus, segmentis ineequalibus rotun- datis; corolla campanulata, 5-6 lineas longa et lata, omnino gla- berrima, lobis tubum zequantibus; stamina 10, exserta, filamentis fili- formibus, infra medium longiuscule barbatis ; ovarium 5-loculare, stylo a basi abrupte curvo, quam stamina paullo breviore. Capsula lepidota, ovato-oblonga, circiter 4 lineas longa.
In its principal features this is allied to R. lepidotum, from which it essentially differs in its inflorescence as wellasin the details of less prominent characters. Abundant from 7000 to 9000 feet at Shéndtoi and Kaiwás; June and July. A poisonous shrub, with campanulate corolla and long bent style.
344. R. Collettianum, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Fruticosum, pluri- pedale, foliis mediocribus subtus furfuraceo-lepidotis, pedunculis brevibus saepissime 8-12 aggregatis, calyce inzqualiter 5-partito, segmentis late oblongis ciliatis, corolla hypocraterimorpha, tubo recto intus omnino piloso ; staminibus 10 inclusis; ovario 5-loculare, stylo brevissimo.
Frutex graveolens, innocuus, 4-7-pedalis, ramis junioribus fulvis furfu- raceo-lepidotis. Folia petiolata, coriacea, sempervirentia, lanceolato- oblonga, sepe 2-3-pollicaria (specimen Griffithianum paullo longiora), obtusiuscula, supra primum parce lepidota sed cito nuda et nitida, subtus fulva, furfuraceo-lepidota. Flores albi, roseo tincti, corymbosi, breviter pedunculati, corymbis sepissime 8-12-floris ante anthesin bracteatis ; bracteze pauciseriatze, lepidote,ciliate, rotundatz, mucronate, exteriores minores; calyx 5-partitus, furfuraceo-lepidotus, segmentis inequalibus oblongis longe ciliatis; corolla hypocraterimorpha, usque ad 10 lineas longa, extus glaberrima, lobis rotundatis, tubo recto quam lobi duplo longiore, intus omnino piloso; stamina 10, tubo inclusa, fila-
. mentis leviter barbatis deorsum incrassatis; ovarium 5-loculare, stylo brevissimo, stigmate maximo capitato. Capsula furfuraceo-lepidota, ob-
. longa, circiter 3 lineas longa, calyce persistenti vestita.
76 SURG.-MAJ, J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
In most of its characters this species closely approaches R. An- thopogon, from which, however, it differs in its larger stature, larger straight flowers, ten stamens, and in the tube of the corolla being hairy all over the inside. From 10,000 to nearly 13,000 feet at Shéndtoi to ridges of Síkarám, commencing at near the limit of trees, and, mixed with masses of juniper, forming thicket. Has a long salver-shaped corolla and a short style.
42. MoNoTROPEZ. 912. Hypopithys lanuginosa, Nutt. Growing under, and probably parasitical upon, the roots of Abies Smithiana at Péwárkotal, altitude 8500 feet ; August.
49. PLUMBAGINEZ.
813. Acantholimon ($ Staticopsis) Munroanum, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Foliis brevibus demum patentibus subulatis, scapis quam folia nune brevioribus nunc paullo longioribus monostachyis, spicis densis, spiculis 2-7 unifloris tribracteatis, bracteis exterioribus ovato-orbicularibus semicupularis margine latiuscule scarioso-hyalinis, bracteis interioribus oblongo-ellipticis calyce triente brevioribus.
Suffrutex cespitosus, usque ad pedalis, ramis elongatis. Folia rigida, demum patentia, subulato-acerosa, 6-9 lineas longa, margine minutis- sime scaberula. Flores congesti spicati; scapus nunc foliis brevior paullo longior; spice breves; spicule 2-7, uniflore, tribracteate ; bractez exteriores, preter margo latiuscule scarioso-hyalina coriacet, ovato-orbieulares, semicupulares, mucronate ; bractez interiores ob- longo-ellipticee, preeter costam scarioso-hyalinze, calyce tertio parte bre- viores; calyx infundibuliformis, tubo extus hirsuto sulcato, limbo albo atro-costato, costis haud excurrentibus; ovarium glabrum.
Allied to A. libanoticum, Boiss., A. Echinus,L.,&c. Seratigah, forming immense consolidated hummocks; 10,000 to 13,000 feet,
July.
0. A. (§ Tragacanthina, Bunge) leptostachyum, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Foliis estivalibus longiusculis adscendentibus gracilibus semi- teretibus acerosis. Scapus gracili pleiostachyus, spicis laxiusculis, spi- culis 1-6 sepissime 1-floris, bracteis similis glumaceis elongatis mucro- natis preter costam crassam scarioso-hyalinis quam calyx paullo brevi- oribus.
Suffrutez usque ad 3-pedalis, dense ramosus, ramis graciliusculis rectis elongatis. Folia heteromorpha, vernalia carnosula, brevia, lata, recurva, persistentia, zstivalia gracilia, semiteretia, acerosa, 1-13 poll. longa, ad- scendentia, obsolete puberula. Flores parvi, interrupte spicati ; scapi 2-4- pollicares, graciles ; spicule 1-6, sepissime (an semper?) 1-flore ; bracteg similes oblongo-elliptice, mucronate, preter costa crassa sca-
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 77
rioso-hyalinz, calyce paullo breviores; calyx anguste infundibuliformis, glaber, limbus albus purpureo-costatus, costis haud excurrentibus ; ovarium glabrum.
Drékalla; July.
Acantholimon (§ Armeriopsis, Boiss.) calocephalum, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Foliis brevibus patentibus crassis plano-triquetris acero- sis, scapis quam folia brevioribus, spicis densissimis unilateraliter evo- lutis, spiculis usque 12 seepissime trifloris, bracteis exterioribus maximis orbieularibus concavis margine tantum hyalinis, bracteis interioribus late obovato-ellipticis quam calyx paullo brevioribus.
Suffrutex czespitosus, pedalis et ultra, ramis crassiusculis dense foliosis, Folia crassa, coriacea vel fere lignosa, linearia, acerosa, usque ad 9 lineas longa, plano-triquetra, minute albido punctata (puncta lacryme calcis ?) margine minutissime scaberula, patentia, scapo longiora. Flores congesti, capitato-spicati; spicee densissime, unilateraliter evolute, usque polli- cares; spicule usque ad 12, distichze, 2-5-florz, sed sepissime 3-florz ; bractez exteriores coriacez, ample, orbiculares, concave, mucronate, purpureo vel roseo zonatz, margine anguste hyalino-membranacee ; bracteze interiores fere omnino hyalinz, roseo vel purpureo tinctz, ob- ovato-elliptiez, calyce paullo breviores; calyx infundibuliformis, omnino glaber, atro-purpureo costatus, costis haud excurrentibus; ovarium puberulum.
Near A. bracteatum, Boiss., but differing in its very shortly peduneulate spikes and quite coriaceous coloured outer bracts.
Síkarám, forming immense hummocks, 11,000 to 13,000 feet.
44. PRIMULACEX. 130, 521. Primula denticulata, Sm, Bíánkhél; April. 352. P. denticulata, Sm. var. Shálizán; May. 462. P. rosea, Royle. Shéndtoi ravine, at 9000 to 10,000 feet, very local.
960, P. purpurea, Royle= Griffith, no. 699. Profuse from 11,000 to 15,000 feet on all the higher hills, Sikarám.
169. Androsace incisa, Wall.
At 7000 to 8000 feet from Shálizán to Habibkalla, not un- common. 925. A. sp.
At 13,000 feet on Síkarám ; a very minute woolly plant,
SURG.-MAJ. J.E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
323. Androsace sp. Very common through the woods from Shálizán up to 9000 feet, and occasional in the Hariáb district.
131, 132, 874. Dionysia tapetodes, Bunge.
Profuse everywhere on shaded rocks from the Shéndtoi at 7000 feet to Karatigah. Very characteristic as a rock-plant. In flower April to June, according to elevation and exposure.
725. Cortusa Matthioli, L.
In shaded localities whether by trees or stones, the plant vary- ing much in size. From 9000 feet in the Shéndtoi ravine, Kaiwás, and on Síkarám up to nearly 12,000 feet, common.
642. Lysimachia dubia, Ait. An abundant weed around fields at Shálizán; June.
604. Glaux maritima, L. Common in low grass, damp ground at Bíánkhél; June.
318. Anagallis arvensis, L. The red-flowered form, Shálizán, not a common weed ; June.
45. EBENACEEX.
150. Diospyros Lotus, L.
A large tree, extensively cultivated in the Kuram district for its fruit; not met with in a wild state. It does not occur in the Hariáb district. j
46. OLEACER.
626. Jasminum officinale, L. Shálizán, in the small jungle within the hills at about 8000 feet, common; June. Not found in Hariáb.
289. J. revolutum, Sims.
In similar localities to the above; also not occurring in the Hariab. 722. Syringa Emodi, Wail.
A common shrub from nearly 8000 to 9000 feet; never occurs as low down as S. persica so as to mix with it. The flowers are always pure or greenish white, never purple.
188, 356. S. persica, L. )
A very common shrub on the low and outer hills near Shálizán up to nearly 7500 feet ; never quite reaches the altitude of S. Emodi. I have never seen these species growing together.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 79
0. Fraxinus Moorcroftiana, Wall.
From a stout woody bush to a good-sized tree. On the ascent to Péwárkotal and occasionally all over the Haridb district to Drékalla and Káratigah.
258. Olea cuspidata, Wail.
A cultivated tree in the Kuram district wherever I have seen it. It does not occur in the Hariáb district. Between Badishkhél and Thal not common, except in groves, where there can be no doubt it has been cultivated. From Ibrahimzai and across by the inland road to the Darwazaghai pass it is common as a wild tree, but on the pass itself is found in cultivated groves only. The Afghans have a superstitious veneration for this tree.
47. ASCLEPIADER.
582. Vincetoxicum sp.— No. 7, T. Thomson's collection.
About 8000 feet, at Biánkhél and Kaiwás, on open stony hot slopes; June, July. 44. Cynanchum humile, Falc.=No. 920, Stocks.
Shinnak, at about 3000 feet ; April. 0, Periploca aphylla, Dene.
Common, but no specimens collected.
48. LoGANIACER. 189. Buddleia crispa, Benth. A large shrub, common on the sides of fields from near Ba- dishkhél, through the whole Kuram valley, up to 7000 feet ; not in the Hariáb district. Inflorescence very handsome.
49. GENTIANACE. 354. Erythrea ramosissima, Pers., var. caspica, Fisch.
Very local. Shálizán, on sides of irrigation-channels in shade of rock; at Bíánkhél. A very slender plant with white flowers ; July and August.
697. E. Centaurium, L. Shálizán; June. 881. Gentiana aquatica, L.?
Only one small specimen found, Bíánkhél; July. 932, 1003. G. sp. —61 of Jaeschke's collection in Lahul.
Síkarám, at 12,000 feet, on dry soil in the shelter of creeping juniper; Shéndtoi, at 10,000 feet, profuse.
876. Swertia petiolata, Royle. Common at Bíánkhél and Sergal; July and August.
80 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
979, Ophelia cordata, Don. Common at Shálizán and Shéndtoi; August. 977. O. cordata, Don, var. Alikhél to Bíánkhél; August. 0. O. Dalhousiana, Griseb. Shéndtoi, also in the vicinity of Shálizán along irrigation- streams, common ; August.
50 BOoRAGINEZ. 662. Heliotropium europzum, L. Shálizán, in dry stony soil; June.; 11. H. sp. A very large single-flowered species, Alizai; April. 864. Trichodesma sp. A very handsome large blue-flowered species ; Alikhél.
197, 117, 106. Omphalodes sp. = Griffith, no. 564.
Common from Habibkalla to Alikhél; April and May. 900. Cynoglossum furcatum, Wail.
Habíbkalla; July. © 579. C. glochidiatum, Wail.
Kuram to Kaiwás; April to July.
576. Paracaryum anchusoides, Benth. $ Hook. f.
Hariáb distriet, common ; July.
0. P. glochidiatum, Benth. § Hook. f. Shéndtoi gorge at 10,000 feet ; August.
0. Echinospermum barbatum, Lehm.? At Zabardastkalla; June.
198. E. Lappula, L. ? Alikhél; June.
0. Eritrichium sericeum, Royle.
From 11,000 to 13,000 feet, on rocks, Síkarám, Kaiwás; July and August. A small plant with a very large turquoise-blue flower.
397. Craniospermum parviflorum, Dene.
Very common at Kaiwás and Shéndtoi, from 9000 to 11,000
feet, in damp woods. 140. Rochelia stellulata, Rchb, Shálizán, common amongst stones under bushes ; April.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. - 81
145, 217. Asperugo procumbens, L.
A common field-weed from Badishkhél to Habibkalla; April. 507, 569, 858. Anchusa Milleri, Willd.
Hariáb district, Sergal and Bíánkhél; June, July.]
483, 230. Nonnea nigricans, DC.
Hariáb district to Karátigah ; June, July. 136. Lithospermum arvense, L. Shálizán to Alikhél; May.
338. L. officinale, L.
Shalizan ; May.
0. L. officinale, L., var. =L, erythrorhizon, Sieb. & Zucc.
Shálizán; May.
720. Arnebia (Macrotomia) speciosa, Aitchison et Hemsley, n. sp. Perennis, tota planta hispido-pilosa, caulibus erectis usque ad bipedali- bus simplicibus, foliis lineari-lanceolatis trinerviis, floribus densissime cymosis, cymis in racemum laxum elongatum dispositis, calycis segmentis primum corollam fere zquantibus fructiferis longe accrescentibus, nuculis maturis non visis.
Herba perennis, omnino longe hispido-pilosa (pili in vivis virides in siccis aurei), caulibus erectis simplicibus usque ad bipedalibus. Folia lineari-lan- ceolata ; inferiora 6-10 poll. longa, 3—5 lineas lata; superiora gradatim breviora et basi rotundata, omnia prominente trinervata, obtusiuscula. Flores densissime cymosi, breviter pedicellati; cymæ 5-9-florz, iu ra- cemum laxum distichum elongatum (6-12 poll.) disposite ; calycis seg- menta lineari-lanceolata, primum corollam fere zequantia, fructifera longe accrescentia usque sesquipollicaria; corolla hypocraterimorpha, 10-12 lineas longa, extus hirsuta, intus glabra, nuda, lobi breves rotundati. Nucule (mature) nobis ignotz, abortu sspe 1 vel 2, semiovatz, dorso laminatz, rugosze.
Hills above Kaiwás, on exposed ridges from 9000 to 12,000
feet; July. 824, 498. A. (Macrotomia) endochroma, Hook. f. $ Thoms.
On Síkarám and Seratigah, altitude 10,000 to 12,000 feet, on dry exposed soil. Employed as medicine by the natives. 28. Onosma echioides, Sm.
Shinnak ; April. 45, 935. O. sp. —997 Stocks, —530 Griffith.
From Shinnak to Kuram ; April.
51. CoNvYOLVULAOCEX.
989. Ipomeea (Pharbitis) Nil, Roth.
Common round villages, and may be a garden escape, Shálizán ;
August. LINN. JOURN.—BOTANY, VOL. XVIII. G
82 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
40. Calystegia sp. Bracts large, otherwise very like Convolvulus arvensis.
247, 299. Convolvulus arvensis, L. A common weed of cultivation, Kuram and Shálizán.
348. C. lineatus, L.= Griffith, no. 676.
Common on stony ground from Kuram to Alikhél, growing very close against the ground.
15. C. sp. near C. lanuginosus, Desv., —nos. 408 & 72, Salt-range plants.
From Alizai to Habíbkalla, very characteristic over the open plains from 4000 to 6000 feet, in large raised very woolly patches, almost forming hummocks. (It is curious to notice that the white silky wool of this species, as also of others, and of Buddleia crispa, becomes a bronze-brown colour in the Herbarium.)
847. C. pseudocantabrica, Schrenck.
Common on the hills at Drékalla from 9000 to 10,000 feet ; also Alikhél. The flowers in colour resemble those of C. arvensis exactly. July.
676. Cuscuta Epithymum, L.?
On Thymus Serpyllum, L., at Shálizán ; June. 654, 855. C. planiflora, Ten. ?= Griffith, no. 686.
From Shálizán to Káratígah, on Perowskia atriplicifolia, Bth.; June and July.
52. SOLANACEX. 861. Solanum Dulcamara, Z.
Common in hedges at Zabardastkalla and Alikhél; July 0. S. Melongena, L.
Cultivated by the natives for the fruit, which is cooked as a vegetable.
314. S. nigrum, L. Common from Kuram to Alikhél.
0. S. tuberosum, L. The potato was not cultivated in the Kuram valley previous to 1879. It has been grown during the past year. 0. Capsicum frutescens, L, Cultivated by the natives. 9. Withania coagulans, Dunal. A very common shrub from Alizai to near Kuram.
766. Atropa lutescens, Jacq. A large herbaceous perennial, very common in the Shéndtol
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 83
ravine at 8000 feet, amongst shrubs and trees. The natives know it is poisonous. 624. Datura Stramonium, L.
Very common weed, villages from Thal to Shálizán; June. Known as poisonous. 481, 222. Hyoscyamus niger, L.
Very common in the Hariáb district in fields and villages, growing to 4 feet occasionally ; June. 835. H. pusillus, L.
Common in the Hazárdarakht valley, Drékalla; July. 844. H. reticulatus, L.
At Drékalla, only one specimen; July. 988. Nicotiana rustica, L.
Cultivated at Shálizán. The only species found.
53. SCROPHULARINEX. 645, 440. Verbascum erianthum, Benth. Very abundant on dry stony beds of mountain-streams, Kuram district, from 5000 to 7000 feet ; June and July.
685. V. Thapsus, L.
Common everywhere up to 9000 feet in dry stony localities ; June and July. 548. Linaria venosa, Lindl.
Alikhél, abundant in stony rocky soil; June and July. 264. Scrophularia cabulica, Benth.
From Badishkhél to Shálizán, not uncommon in clumps; April and May. 919. S. sp.
A dwarf species with extremely large flowers. Amongstrubble, at 12,000 to 14,000 feet, Sikarám ; August. 461. S. sp.— Griffith, no. 618.
Common from Shéndtoi ravine to Péwárkotal and the Hariáb district; May and June. 811. Wulfenia Amherstiana, Benth.
Abundant on rocks in the Shéndtoi gorge and up the valleys of the Darban; July and August. 189. Veronica agrestis, L., var.
Habibkalla. a2
84 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
0. Veronica agrestis, L. Shálizán ; May. 207, 213. V. Anagallis, L.
Kuram to Habíbkalla; April to June. 0. V. bartsizfolia, Boiss.
Bíánkhél; June.
195, 664. V. Beccabunga, L. Shálizán to Alikhél, abundant.
146. V. biloba, L. Shálizán; April.
453. V. biloba, L., var. Péwárkotal; June.
902. V. campyiopoda, Boiss.
Alikhél; May.
763. V.sp. near V. Teucrium, var. minor, Trautv.
A very handsome large blue-flowered species, hanging in bunches from rocks, from a woody rootstock; Shéndtoi and Darban; July and August.
975. Leptorhabdos sp. near L. virgata, Benth. — Griffith, no. 594.
Profuse under trees in Alikhél forests; August.
990. Euphrasia officinalis, L.
Shéndtoi, at 9000 feet ; August. 0. Pedicularis gracilis, Wail.
Shéndtoi, common from 9000 to 10,000 feet ; August. 769. P. Hookeriana, Wall.
Shéndtoi, wet marshy soi. Flowers cherry-coloured with splashes of white.
796. P. pectinata, Wall. Shéndtoi; July.
735. P. pectinata, Wall.? Hills near Kaiwás.
0. P. tenuirostris, Benth.
Shéndtoi; August.
719. P. sp.=no. 200 of Jaeschke’s Lahul collection.
Shéndtoi, in meadows, 10,000 to 11,000 feet; July. 487. P. sp.=no. 504 n of J. L. Stewart’s Hazara collection.
Base of Síkarám, Sergal, and Karchátal, in pine-forests on dry hill-sides, very common ; June.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 85
54. OROBANCHACER.
287. Phelipza zgyptiaca, Walp.
Under large trees in the Shálizán orchards, very common; May. 934. Orobanche sp. —4088 Distrib. Herb. Griffith.
Very common on two species of Artemisia, Hariáb district ; June. The stems are eaten before the flowers expand, and are rather nice, crisp, and cool, with little or no flavour.
a O. sp. With 934.
267, 893. O. sp. At Bíánkhél on Thymus Serpyllum, common; July. Also at Shálizán in May.
55. ACANTHACER. 908. Strobilanthes alata, Nees. Very common at 7000 to 8000 feet in shaded moist localities, Shálizán, Darban, and Shéndtoi; July.
21. Adhatoda Vasica, Nees. Shinnak to Badishkhél, a common shrub ; April.
56. SELAGINEZX. 94. Gymnandra stolonifera, Koch.
A small low herb that carpets the country in many localities with its lovely light-purple inflorescence (especially the ** Mergs ” on the Péwárkotal, but also the encampment at Alikhél), from Kuram to Alikhél; April and May.
57. VERBENACEX. 41. Lantana sp. very near L. alba, L., but flowers much smaller. Shinnak; April. 639. Verbena officinalis, L. Common everywhere from Thal to the Kuram district up to 7000 feet ; April to July.
58. LABIATEX.
806. Plectranthus rugosus, Wall. A common shrub round the fields of Shálizán and towards Shéndtoi river; July.
86 SURG.-MAJ, J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
620. Mentha incana, Willd. Common in ditches from Badishkhél to Alikhél; June to August.
911, 686, Origanum normale, Don.
Meadow-land near moisture ; common at Kaiwás and Shalizan ; July. 72, 157. Thymus Serpyllum, L.
Everywhere on the plains of Kuram up to 9000 feet, Hariab district; April and May. 840, 939. Micromeria biflora, Benth. ;
Very common from Thal to Alikhél; April to June. 713. Calamintha Clinopodium, Benth.
Shálizán, Kaiwás, and Katskallé; June and July. a C. sp. 545. C. debilis, Bunge.
Alikhél; June. This is a species from the Altai collected by Ledebour.
644. Perowskia atriplicifclia, Bent.
An extremely common shrub from Kuram and the Hariáb dis- trict to Káratígah. When in flower it is very handsome ; flowers usually lavender-coloured, but occasionally pure white.
594, Salvia glutinosa, L.
Spreads everywhere, and in greatest luxuriance in dry water- courses amongst large stones. Flowers orange-yellow. A very sticky plant. June to August.
20, 56, 180. S. Moorcroftiana, Wall.
From Thalto Habíbkalla; very common on exposed open plains up to 7000 feet ; April and May. 36. S. plebeia, Br.
Shinnak, common ; April.
474. S. rhytidea, Benth.
Common from Kuram to Alikhél, and remarkable for its hand- some purple flowers, often with a good deal of white. 480, 260. Ziziphora clinopodioides, L.
From Habíbkalla to Alikhél, very common. A very handsome plant, and extremely strongly scented with peppermint. 407. Z. tenuior, L.
A minute abundant annual, very sweetly scented ; grows in the shade of other bushes; Hariáb district.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 87
1201. Nepeta sp. Serdtigah from 10,000 to 11,000 feet ; shrubby; July. 715, 768. N. sp. Shálizán and Shéndtoi, very tall; July. 933. N. sp.— Griffith, no. 514. Péwárkotal; August. 612. N. sp.—variety of 933. Péwárkotal, in woods; June. 447. N. sp. near N. teucriifolia, Willd. Hariáb district to Káratígah. A very handsome plant with large lavender flowers. Péwárkotal, edge of pine-forests, very common ; May.
634. N. sp. — Griffith, no. 4060, Kew distrib.
Kaiwás and Shálizán ; July. 0. N. calaminthioides, Bent.
A profuse field-weed near Shálizán; June. 0. N. discolor, Royle.
Sikardm, at 14,000 feet, abundant. 55, 588. N. raphanorhiza, Benth.
Amongst bushes in pine-forests, from Badishkhél to Alikhél, very common, and eaten by the natives. The bark of the root has the flavour of turnip, but the heart tastes like nice crisp filberts.
841. N. rugosa, Benth. At Drékalla; July.
917. N. sp. near N. rotundifolia, Benth. Amongst débris from 12,000 to 14,000 feet, Sikarám ; August.
667, 625. N. sp. Shálizán ; June. 573. Dracocephalum sp. near D. origanoides, Steph., and pinnatum, L. Bíánkhél, Sikardm, and Serátígah from 9000 to 12,000 feet; June to August. 529, 260. Lallemantia Royleana, Benth. From Kuram to Alikhél; April to June.
273. Scutellaria linearis, Benth. From Thal to Kuram and Shálizán ; May and June.
201. S. sp. From Habíbkalla to Péwárkotal and Alikhél; May. 537. S. sp.
Very common at Alikhél in stony exposed soil amongst scrub.
88 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
617. Brunella vulgaris, L. Along water-channels and moist localities. Common from Kuram to Shálizán.
346. Marrubium vulgare, L. From Hazárpírziárat to Alikhél, occasional.
695. Stachys floccosa, Benth.
Near Shálizán; June and July. 975. S. parviflora, Benth.
Excessively common from Thal to Kuram, and characteristic of the Kuram plains; May.
817. S. sp. Near Serátígah; July. 623. Leonurus Cardiaca, L. Common near Shálizán ; June. 212. Lamium amplexicaule, L. Very common in most places; Kuram district up to 7000 feet.
831. L. rhomboideum, Benth.
The foliage of this is very handsome, as are the fine large flowers. It grows in stony débris from 4 to 6 inches in height, and is remarkable for its velvet-like woolly leaves, varying in colour. Altitude from 13,000 to 15,000 feet, Serátígah and Bikarám.
777. Phlomis bracteosa, Royle.
Shéndtoi at 8000 feet, amongst shrubs; the only locality; July.
565. P. cashmeriana, Royle.
One of the most common and characteristic plants of the low scrub of the Hariáb district, and not uncommon in plains of Kuram district ; flowers large, rose-coloured ; June and July.
708, 749. P. spectabilis, Falc.
On the edge of forest, Péwárkotal, and not uncommon in other places in the Kuram district at an altitude of 7000 to 8000 feet ; July.
16. Eremostachys sp.—no. 103 p, J. L. Stewart’s Peshaur collections.
A very handsome plant, with large yellow flowers. Alizai; A pril.
231. E.sp. May prove to be —16.
Kuram; April.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN, 89
486, 449. Eremostachys speciosa, Rupr. ?
Hariáb district only, in stony conglomerate soil; May and June. The large woolly yellow flowers in most cases grow directly from the base of the stock close to the ground.
615, Teucrium Royleanum, Benth.
A common weed around Shálizán and towards Shéndtoi ; June. 147, 293. Ajuga parviflora, Benth.
Common between Shálizán and Habibkalla; April and May. 27. A. bracteosa, Benth.
Shinnak ; April.
59. PLANTAGINES. 179, 257. Plantago lanceolata, L. Kuram district to 7000 feet ; April.
516, 646. P. major, L. Kuram and Hariáb districts, common ; June.
MONOCHLAMYDEX. 60. ILLECEBRACER.
585, 842. Herniaria hirsuta, L. Hariáb district, common; June and July.
61. AMARANTACES.
659. Amarantus Blitum, L. Common on stony ground, Kuram district; June to August.
969. A. frumentaceus, Roxb. ? On cultivated ground near Bíánkhél and Habíbkalla. I did not see it as a cultivated crop.
62. CHENOPODIACEZ. 0. Chenopodium album, L. Common at Shálizán. ; 879. C. album, L., var. candicans, Moq. = Griffith, no. 1741. Bíánkhél; July. 891. C. album, L., var. Bíánkhél to Péwárkotal; July. 750, 899. C. Botrys, L. Common, Kuram and Hariáb districts ; a field-weed much col- lected and eaten as a vegetable, cooked ; July.
90 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
980. Chenopodium murale, L. Shálizán ; August. 49]. C. sp. Sikarám, at 10,000 feet. 577. Blitum virgatum, L. Common, Kuram and Hariáb districts, but more especially so
in forests of the Hariáb distriet where wood has been burnt; June and July.
63. PoLYGoNACER.
767. Polygonum amplexicaule, Don.
Shéndtoi, abundant at 10,000 feet ; July.
315. P. aviculare, L,
Shálizán; May.
0. P. aviculare, L., var.
Péwárkotal; August.
656. P. Bellardi, All., var. 8. patulum, Meissn.
Shálizán ; June.
657. P. Convolvulus, L.
Fields, Shálizán; June.
0. P. dumetorum, L.
Fields, Shálizán ; June.
866. P. glabrum, Willd.
Fields, Shálizán ; July.
986. P. nepalense, Meissn.
Sbálizán ; August.
215. P. paronychioides, C. A. Mey.
Everywhere at 5000 to 8000 feet ; May.
1203. P. perforatum, Meissn.
Sikarám, at 12,000 feet.
794. P. rumicifolium, Royle.
Shéndtoi, at 10,000 feet, and up to nearly 12,000 feet amongst rhododendron and juniper, common. In Kashmir the young stems are eaten cooked.
816. P. (Avicularia) biaristatum, Aitchison et Hemsley,n.sp. Suffru- ticosum, prostratum, glabrum, ramis tortuosis, foliis parvis confertis subcoriaceis ellipticis, ochreis amplis bifidis longe biaristatis, floribus polygamis axillaribus solitariis binis sessilibus vel breviter pedicellatis.
Suffrutez glaber, omnino prostratus, contorte ramosus, ramis szpe brevi- bus. Folia conferta, sessilia vel in petiolum brevissimum attenuata, sub-
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 91
coriacea, elliptica vel obovata, 2-4 lineas longa, seepe abrupte breviterque
acuminata; ochrez ample, bifidze, longe biaristatee. Flores rubri, poly-
gami, axillares, solitarii vel bini, sessiles vel breviter pedicellati, 1-2
lineas diametro; perianthium 5-partitum ; segmenta similia et subcar-
nosa vel 2 interiora tenuiora ; stamina 8 ; filamenta basi dilatata ; ova- rium glabrum; styli teretes. Wur triquetra.
A very distinct species. Serátígah, at 12,000 feet; a dense woody miniature shrub.
655, 632. Polygonum sp.
Shálizán; June.
/91, 952. Rheum Moorcroftianum, Wall.
Very common above 10,000 to 14,000 feet, from Shéndtoi westward to Serátigah. 539. R. Ribes, I.
From 8500 to 11,000 feet on the hills along the Hazárdarakht river. Eaten by the natives, and preferred by them to R. Moor- eroftianum, although this is also eaten; they chew the raw stems as they travel.
465, 827, 940. Oxyria reniformis, Hook.
Common on all the hills at 10,000 to 13,000 feet, from Shéndtoi
to Seratigáh ; July and August.
705. Rumex nepalensis, Wall. Kaiwás; July.
1202. R. orientalis, Bernh.
Fields near Sergal, very common ; August. 611. R. sp.
Péwárkotal,in woods; June.
302. R. sp. Shálizán ; May.
64. THYMELACEZ. 10. Daphne oleoides, L.
From Hazarpírziárat, the Kuram, and Hariab districts up to 11,000 feet in dry localities. As already stated, this, with Sophora mollis and Cotoneaster nummulariafolia, are to be met everywhere forming part of the scrub. Camels will not eat this shrub except when very hungry. It is poisonous, producing violent diarrhea. I feel certain that much of the mortality of camels in the Kuram division was due to the prevalence of this shrub. It was notice- able when camels were grazing that the Daphne was not touched until all the other scrub had been eaten.
92 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
668. Thymelea arvensis, Lamk.
Very common near the Shálizán cantonments amongst small shingle along watercourses ; June. 638. Wikstrcemia virgata, Meissn.
A very common shrub east of Péwárkotal at about 8000 feet, near moisture; June and July. 519. Diarthron carinatum, Jaub. & Spach.
From Shálizán westward along the whole Hariáb; June and July.
65. ELEAGNACEX.
22, 261. Eleagnus angustifolia, L.
From Shinnak to Alikhél. A cultivated tree with a large fruit, certainly not wild in Afghanistan. 288. E. parvifolia, Wall.
In the low-hill scrub near Shálizán up the Darban and Shénd- toi streams; quite wild, as in Kashmir, but also cultivated. 1204. E. angustifolia, L., var.
A tall tree cultivated for its long racemes of strongly scented flowers, which come out before the leaves. Shálizán; June. 524. Hippophaé rhamnoides, L.
Employed for hedges in the Hariáb district near Bíánkhél. I have not collected it in a wild state.
66. LoRANTHACES. 48, 87. Viscum album, L. Commonly on olive at Badishkhél and Darwazaghai pass ; on Quercus Ilex at the base of the Péwárkotal; not seen on any of the other trees on which it grows in Kashmir.
607. V. articulatum, Burm.
On Quercus Ilex at the base of Péwárkotal; June. Also com- mon at Murree on the same tree.
67. SANTALACES. 339. Thesium divaricatum, Jan. Shálizán, common on dry stony hot soil amongst Peganum and Cleome; May. 68. EvPHORBIACEX.
71. Euphorbia Chamesyce, L. Shaélizin ; June.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 93
553. Euphorbia falcata, L. Abundant in fields near Alikhél; June.
159. E. Gerardiana, Jacq.? Shalizan, a field-weed ; April.
558. E. Szovitzii, Fisch. § Mey. Abundant in stony places near Alikhél; June.
380. E. sp.=my Kashmir collection, no. 94.
On the hills amongst shrubs at the limit of trees, 10,000 to 12,000 feet; June to August. Involucre large, very handsome, bright yellow.
520, 605. E. sp. — Griffith, nos. 352 and 415; related to E. cornuta, Pers. Very common in dry clay-fields, Alikhél and Biankhél.
70, 177. E. sp. = Griffith’s Distribution 4898. Kuram district ; April and May.
43. E. sp. Shinnak; April. Involucre bright orange.
250, 274. Andrachne telephioides, L. Shálizán and Kaiwás, not uncommon in stony ground; April.
Ricinus communis, L. Cultivated in gardens at Shálizán. Near Thal it is quite wild, as also in the hills near Attock.
69. UnrICACEEX.
677. Ulmus campestris, Sm. var.
A large tree in the woods at 7000 to 9000 feet; not com- mon. Well known to the natives, by whom the wood is much used, chiefly in making platters and small bowls.
403. U. sp.
Probably only a variety of U. campestris, but the leaves are much smaller ; no flower or fruit seen. It is a more common but smaller tree than 677. The wood is used for the same purposes.
158, 349. Celtis caucasica, Willd.
Usually a cultivated tree near shrines and graveyards from Thal to the base of the Péwárkotal, but also quite wild on the lower hills along the Darban and Shéndtoi ravines; not seen in the Hariáb district. Under cultivation it has occasionally a very large trunk.
94 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
692, Cannabis sativa, L.
Kuram district and Shálizán, common. Is known by the natives to yield an intoxicating drug, though not employed by them. June.
364. Morus alba, L.
A cultivated tree in and near all gardens &c. in the Kuram district from Thal westward. I do not think I ever saw it in the Kuram district indigenous, but I may have overlooked it.
345, 13. Ficus caricoides, Rorb.=virgata, Roxb.
A small tree, or large shrub from Alizai to the Kuram district up to 6000 feet, usually near cultivation; April. Not seen in Hariab.
305. F. Carica, L.
Most probably an escape from cultivation. Sides of water-
courses and fields near the shelter of trees &c.; May.
293. Urtica dioica, L. Habibkalla; June.
458, U. dioica, L., var. Shéndtoi; May.
1204, 1205, 1206, 716. U. dioica, L., var.
543. Parietaria debilis, Forst. In elefts of rocks at Alikhél and Hariáb district ; not seen in
Kuram; June.
542. P. officinalis, L. In rocks, common, Kuram and Hariáb districts ; June.
70. PLATANACER.
50, 259. Platanus orientalis, L.
Not indigenous, but largely cultivated from Hazárpirziárat through the whole Kuram distriet. Only in one locality near Shá- lizán can I say it is naturalized, and, curiously enough, it is work- ing up hill, where several trees of various sizes, mostly with very short trunks and stunted branches, may be seen. I noticed a similar fact in Kashmir on the western aspect of the Takht i Sú- limán. In neither instance are there any signs of cultivation or of irrigation near where these higher trees are growing, nor could there ever have been, on account of the precipitous nature of the country.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN, 95
71. JUGLANDACEX. 378. Juglans regia, L.
A cultivated tree in the Kuram district, very occasional at 7200 feet in the Hariáb. It occurs wild in the Shéndtoi and Darban ravines from 7000 to 9000 feet, but not in the Hariáb district. The walnut-groves of Shálizán surpass any thing of the sort I ever have seen; the trees average from 12 feet in circumference, and one is 17 feet, with splendid timber.
72. CUPULIFERZ.
/19. Betula Bhojpattra, Wall.
To the east of Sikárám at 11,000 feet, not common. The bark is not employed by the Afghans for any purpose, at least in this district.
25, 128, 87, 262. Quercus Ilex, L.
Common everywhere from 6500 to 9000 feet in the Kuram and Hariáb districts. Used largely as fodder for cattle, and the branches for fences and wattling houses; as fuel it burns fairly, even when green.
394. Q. semecarpifolia, Wall.
A large forest tree. I measured one 18 feet in circumference, with the trunk 100 feet before it divided. This had been cut down by the Afghan army just previous to our occupation of the Kuram district. Common from 9000 feet to the limits of trees (11,000 feet), in the Hariáb as well as Kuram district. The leaves afford good fodder for goats.
73. SALICINEX. 49, 64, 365, 39. Salix acmophylla, Boiss. Sadatkalla and Shálizán ; April and May. Badishkhél; April. A large cultivated tree ; but I found it in localities near Shálizán, where I doubted its being in cultivation.
111. S. angustifolia, Willd. Alikhél; April. A large shrub, quite wild, and also cultivated round fields.
413. S. elegans, Wall. A large shrub, just above the limits of trees, from 11,000 to 12,000 feet, Shéndtoi; July.
96 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
389. Salix grisea, Wall.—Griffith, nos. 1318 and 1319.
Shéndtoi, from 10,000 to 12,000 feet, common. 1208. S. daphnoides, Vill.
One specimen collected by Major Collett, Kuram valley (loca- lity unknown). 574. S. pycnostachys, Anders.
A cultivated tree near the village of Ballit; no male flowers found.
es S. pycnostachys, Anders.
Male flowers collected in Shéndtoi at 11,000 feet; May.
1207. S. sp.= Griffith, no. 1316.
Referred to by Brandis (For. Flor. p. 464) as a form between S. Safsaf, Forsk., and S. aemophylla, Boiss.
99. S. sp. near S. seriocarpa, Anders., and S. babylonica, L.
A large cultivated tree, with weeping branches; the young branches eut as fodder for cattle. Very common at Alikhél round fields, where it is planted to keep open the irrigation channels. 246. S. sp. near S. babylonica, L.
A large weeping tree cultivated at Kuram ; April.
110. S. sp. near S. viminalis, L. A shrub, wild aud cultivated round fields for basket-work, and known as the * true willow " (* Asíl-á-walla").
254. Populus alba, L. A cultivated tree near villages, very common in the Kuram district ; occasional at Hariáb as at Alikhél.
350. P. alba, var. denudata. A cultivated tree, with the same range as 254.
16]. P. nigra, L., var. afghanica, Aitchison et Hemsley. Ramulis ulti- mis gracillimis, foliis parvis membranaceis ovato-rhomboideis basi insig- niter cuneatis, amentis femineis laxis gracilibus.
Arbor 100-pedalis, ramis adscendentibus, ramulis ultimis gracillimis. Folia graciliter petiolata; primum puberula, adulta membranacea, ovato- rhomboidea, lamina sepissime 1-13-pollicaris, raro 12-pollicaris, basi saepissime longe cuneata, apice breviter acuminata, margine crenato-den- ticulata ; petiolus filiformis, usque ad pollicaris. Amenta feminea bre- viter pedunculata, bipollicaria, gracilia, laxa ; perianthium cupulatum, obsolete lobatum, majusculum ; capsula immatura ovata, pedicello sub- sequilonga.
With all the principal characters of P. nigra this has exceed- ingly slender branches, small leaves, and slender female catkins.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 97
Possibly it may prove a distinct species; but in the absence of very complete materials we have not ventured to give it that rank. A large tree, fully 100 feet in height and 8 feet in girth ; quite wild, also cultivated in the vicinity of Shálizán, but only at one shrine. In the Hariáb district it is common, cultivated, and apparently wild also; in fruit May.
74. GNETACE.
126. Ephedra sp.
Alikhél, on rocks ; April. 1209, E. sp.
Near Shálizán ; June.
75. CoNIFER.
0. Cupressus sempervirens, L.
One celebrated tree, eultivated at a shrine near Shálizán, is 6 feet in circumference at 4 feet from the ground. No other seen in the country.
412. Juniperus communis, L.
On tbe hills above the limit of trees from 11,000 to 13,000 feet ; from the hills behind Shálizán westwards to Serátígah ; May and June.
114. Juniperus excelsa, Wail.
A very large tree, forming fully half the forests at 9000 feet in the Hariáb district ; does not extend to the east of the Gandháo stream, except one or two cultivated spaces in a garden, or rather orchard, near the Shálizán cantonments. The bark exfoliates in long fibrous strips, which are collected and employed by the natives for making pads for carrying their water-jars on and for other similar purposes.
1210. J. sp. near J. recurva, Ham. Síkarám, at 10,000 to 12,000 feet; August.
59. Taxus baccata, L. As far west as the Gandháo stream and no further; occurs in the inner villages at 7500 to 9000 feet, where there is moisture.
171. Pinus excelsa, Wall.
This occurs as a fine tree from 8000 to 11,000 feet, but is met with occasionally as low as 7000 feet, and as a bush up to 12,000 feet in certain localities; in the hills of the Kuram district west-
LINN. JOURN.—BOTANY, VOL. XVIII. H
98 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
wards to Serátígah along the whole range and spurs at the above altitude. To it is given the name “ Nuhktár," a term applied to Pinus longifolia further west, of which I have not seen a single specimen. From Kohat vid Thal to Serátigah.
113. Pinus Gerardiana, Wail.
A very handsome tree that does not branch as pines usually do, the trunk and branches being more like those of a well-formed oak. It is easily recognized at a distance by its nearly white ash-grey bark, which on close examination is seen not to be of one colour, but consists of patches of all tints, from light green to autumnal reds and brown ; this is due to the peculiar way the bark exfoliates. It occurs from 7000 to 11,000 feet in the Hariáb district, but is unknown in the Kuram district, or as far north as the Péwárkotal, or its union with the base of Síkarám. It is a common pine in Kost. The nuts are a large article of diet amongst the villagers of the district in which the pine grows, and a luxury in N.W. India. The Kuram valley heretofore has not exported the nuts ; those that reached Kohat were chiefly from the Kóst country.
127. Cedrus Deodara, Roxb.
A superb forest-tree from 7500 to 10,000 feet. Commences at the Spíngháo stream and covers the hills to the west of this, none, as far as I have seen, to the east, except an occasional tree in the Gandháo stream. I measured a tree 22 feet in circumfer- ence that must have been fully 150 feet high. It is curious to note that trees here all more or less run to trunk; the branches scarcely afford timber at all; and this is specially remarkable in the Hazárdarakht river, where the branches are extremely short and very small in calibre.
170, 785. Abies Smithiana, Wall.
A large tree, from 8000 to 10,000 feet, sometimes up to nearly 12,000 feet, struggling with Pinus excelsa for existence. Through- out the whole of the forests from the Kuram district to Serátigah ; but in the Hariáb district, where it is extremely dry, it occurs rather more commonly at 9000 to 11,000 feet.
172. A. Webbiana, Wail.
A fine tree, at 8000 to 11,000 feet, in the forests of the Kuram and Hariáb districts ; usually restricted to the ridges of the hills, always so in the Hariáb district.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 99
MONOCOTYLEDONES.
76. PALMACER. 0. Chamerops Ritchieana, Griff.
This occurs as a very stunted shrub in the conglomerate stony country to the north of the Kuram river, near Badishkhél. To the south of the river, from the Darwazaghai Pass to Hazárpír- zidrat, it grows in great luxuriance, and covers miles of the allu- vial plains with a dense thicket. The fibre obtained by merely breaking the leaf is the usual material for rope in the Kuram and Hariáb districts. The leaves are made into baskets and mats.
77. AROIDER. 776. Arisema abbreviatum, Schott. Common in hot exposed localities amongst stones at the very exit of the Shéndtoi river from the hills opposite Katskallé, as- cending to 7000 feet.
125. Arum Griffithii, Schott. Common under shrubs with Anemone biflora, from Kuram to
Alikhél; April and May.
78. JUNCAGINACER.
867. Potamogeton oblongus, Viv. In rice-fields from Kuram to Alikhél; July.
79. ALISMACER.
882. Triglochin palustre, L.
In moist meadows near Bíánkhél; July. 652, 619. Alisma Plantago, L.
Rice-fields, Shálizán, very common ; July. 869. Sagittaria sagittifolia, L.
Rice-fields, common, Shálizán ; July.
80. OrcHIDACE2. 570. Orchis latifolia, L. In meadow-land from 7000 to 9500 feet, at heads of springs ; common from the Shéndtoi to Sikarám and Alikhél; June to
August. H2
100 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
780. Goodyera repens, R. Br.
Shéndtoi, from 9000 to 10,000 feet, in pine-forest; July. A common Gulmerg (Kashmir) species. 1238. Liparis sp.
Shéndtoi, in damp grassy spots from 9000 to 10,000 feet. In fruit only.
322. Peristylus sp.
Shálizán, on the sides of irrigation-channels amongst grass and ferns under shade of rocks ; altitude 7000 feet; May. Flowers green.
253. Epipactis veratrifolia, Boiss.
Between Shalizin and Habibkalla, along the low hills near springs; May and June. Flowers very handsome, orange, with green-yellow spots.
442. Cephalanthera ensifolia, Rich.
From 8000 to 9500 feet, at Péwárkotal and on hills along Shéndtoi; under trees, common; May.
439. C. sp.
Abundant under oak trees (Quercus Ilex) along the base of the Péwarkotal, at 6000 to 6500 feet ; in fruit only; May.
81. InrpACE. 105. Ixiolirion montanum, Herbert.
From near Kuram to Habibkalla, very common in some fields, but not general; April.
71. Xiphion Stocksii, Baker.
Very common in. conglomerate soil from Badishkhél to Kuram, thence less so, and again very common in similar soil in the Hariáb district up to nearly 9000 feet.
227. Iris ensata, Thunb.
At Kuram near the river, common ; April. 423. I. Güldenstedtiana, Lepech.
In quantity on the hills above Shálizán at 7000 feet, amongst grass near water-channels. Flowers nearly white, with a slightly primrose-yellow tinge.
1239. I. pallida, Lamk.
Cultivated in gardens, Shálizán; May. 46. Morza Sisyrinchium, Ker.
Very profuse in clay-fields near Badishkhél, and is, I think, the same plant of which I sent large quantities of bulbs from Kohát to Saháranpore.
THE KURAM VALLEY, ETC., AFGHANISTAN. 101
82. DIOSCOREACEÆ. 332. Dioscorea deltoides, Wall. In the low-hill scrub from 7000 to 8000 feet, near Shálizán ; not found in Hariáb.
83. SMILACER. 701. Smilax vaginalis, Dene. In the low scrub in the interior of the hills near Shálizán, from 7000 to 8000 feet, very common.
84. LILIACEE,
228. Allium capitellatum, Boiss.? A very small-flowered species at Kuram; April.
191. A. Griffithianum, Boiss. From Kuram to Habíbkalla ; April.
845. A. neapolitanum, Cyr. ? Only two large white, very handsome heads, collected near
Drékalla; July.
503. A. robustum, Kar. & Kir. West base of Síkarám at 9000 feet, Sergal river; June.
734. A. sp. near A. senescens, L. It differs from the latter, a well-known Siberian species, by its
more exserted stamens.
593. A. umbilicatum, Boiss. Abundant in fields at Bíánkhél; June.
115 (ex parte). Gagea filiformis, Ker? Alikhél; April. 115 (ex parte). G. lutea, Ker. In the Péwár woods and meadows; April and May.
190, 255. G. reticulata, Rem. & Schul. From Kuram to Habíbkalla; April and May.
104. G. setifolia, Baker, n. sp. Bulbus parvus, globosus, tunicis multis siccis vestitus, fibris radicalibus multis flexuosis. Folium proprium ra- dicale, semper solitarium, subulatum, glabrum, 3-6-pollicare. Scapus glaber, 2-3 poll. Flores 2.4, umbellati, bracteis 3 coarctatis, centrali 1-1 lin.lata, reliquis anguste linearibus, pedicellis brevibus vel elongatis glabris vel leviter albo-puberulis. Perianthium 4 lin. longum, segmentis lanceolatis acutis facie luteis dorso lete viridibus. Stamina perianthio paulo breviora, antheris lineari-oblongis 1-13 lin. longis.
A small species, marked in the monophyllous group by its subu-
102 SURG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE FLORA OF
late leaves. No. 103 may be a depauperated form of the same plant; it has smaller flowers, narrower leaves and bracts, the pri- mary bract placed often some distance on the peduncle below the inflorescence. At Alikhél; April.
103. Gagea setifolia, Baker, var. Alikhél; April.
1241. G. thesioides, Fisch. The type