'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎307] (486/524)

IN THE SHIKARPOOR COLLECTORATE.
Of the herbs there are few in use, though the species are numerous.
Spear Mint, Catmint (Dathro), a variety of sweet Marjoram, and on
the top of the Kutta-jo-Khubbur, a kind of lavender. The Con
volvulus of kinds— Argemone, &c. are,.all to be met.
But the great plant of the country is the “ Peesh” {Chamerops Rit-
chiana), a kind of under-sized fan-palm. Its uses constitute quite a
feature of the nomadic life of the hill tribes. From the leaves are made
mats for bedding, for the walls and roofs of houses, sandals, ropes, pipes,
and drinking cups. The fruit and young stem are eaten, the former is
fleshy and tasteless, but the latter is much esteemed and has something
of the flavour of raw chestnuts. From the decayed parenchymatous
issue an excellent tinder is procured. Besides the above there are two
other plants producing edible berries— fC Mukkoo” (Solamum Decenden-
tatum) and “ Punneer,” an undetermined variety of Physalis. The fruit
is known in Sind under the general name of “ Peroo”: these, with the
common yellow wood Sooree “ Ambootee” (Oxalis Oorniculata), to be
found in the ravines, are all that merit notice.
*
Climate.
Having thus given a brief outline of the leading typographical and
natural features, it will now be more readily seen how and to what
extent they effect or modify the chief elements of climate.
Solar Radiation.
All atmospheric heat as ordinarily understood is generated by
solar radiation, and as the distance here from the tropics^ is only a few
degrees, the rays of the sun are nearly vertical, and there being no vegeta
tion calculated to arrest or aid in producing evaporation or clouds, t ey
act generally through a perfectly clear atmosphere, with consi era
power and a glare very overpowering. But the great height ote
situation aud the lightness and elasticity of the atmosphere, w ic
minish the capacity of the air for heat, is such that the slig test s .
insures comparative coolness. Some idea of the extent o t ns
nution in the capacity of air for heat according to altitu , ^
formed from the statement of “ Sanssure that* temperature
one degree in every hundred yards of ascent.
th, earth radiates heat, and as all to to*"--**
position and a clear sky-are favourable, the action is p ,
consequently the. nights and early mornings are a way
IvJ-ft
I