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197 and is exceedingly deep. Its rose-coloured walls rise perpendic- ularly from its azure surface. The white and rose margin of the sky-blue waters makes a marvellous panorama. The waters of Band-i-Amir, together with those of Ab-i-Ali and Ab-i-Sarkol in the vicinity of Yakaolang, flow past the base of the palace of Barbar Shah and the ruins of Chihil Burj. They are joined during the length of their course by streams from the eastern slope of Koh-i-Hissar, whence they flow to Dandan- Shikan, and then veer towards the north, forming Balkh-Ab. A visit to Band-i-Amir reminds one of the lines of Moore : There's bower of roses by Bendemeer's stream, At the nightingale sings round it all the day long. Shikari Pass to Pul-i-Khumri: The main road, after leaving the Bamian valley to the south, enters another gorge called Dar-i-Shikari. It runs along the Bamian river, which now flows to the north-west. The Shikari Pass commences at a distance of 130 miles from Kabul, and is 259 miles from Mazari- Sharif. This distance of 259 miles, from a geographical point of view, may be divided into three parts. The road for the first ninety miles runs through a very difficult country, where it is hemmed in by huge precipitious mountains of different colours, rich with the remains of old forts perched on the rocks. The scenery throughout is most charming. At the termination of the Pass lies Mekh-i-Zareen (the Golden Peg). Here for the con- venience of travellers a modern rest-house has been erected. The whole locality is famous for the variety of game. There is trout in the river, and deer, pheasants and partridges along the mountain sides. Mekh-i-Zareen is 163 miles from Kabul. Here the Saighan-Kahmard stream flows into the Bamian, and that is why the place is called Doab, the junction of two streams.