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90 from Kabul to Kataghan passes through this valley enroute to the famous Khawak Pass, at a height of 11,640 feet above sea- level. Among other places of interest around Kabul, as regards climate and natural beauty, mention may be made of Paghman, which is picturesquely set up in the lap of the range of the same name, some 16 miles west of the capital. It is a small, picturesque town, and the whole locality is exceptionally clean, healthy, calm and serene. The climate of the Province of Kabul, on the whole, is wholesome and bracing. The air, owing to altitude, is rare and at first, a new-comer experiences some little difficulty in breath- ing when walking uphill. There is usually little rainfall during the summer. Thunderstorms, with heavy downfalls of rain are frequent during early spring. In these storms, the flashes of lightning are almost continuous and the peals of thunder are deafening and without cessation, but the electricity is often ex- pended on the heights of the mountains, and there are few cases on record of a house being struck. In winter, heavy falls of snow are common, and when the wind causes it to drift, the small houses and hamlets are some- times half covered with snow. Electric as well as telephone service is interrupted and motoring becomes impossible except for cars equipped with chains. The temperature sometimes, especially during cold waves, falls to 30° below zero C. At Hazarajat the winter is even more severe, and traditions tell of disastrous snowstorms. Avalanches are also very common causing great damage to life and property. But even during winter the days are mostly bright and cheerful, and the sky clears soon after the fall of snow. The sun