'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎97] (146/905)

chap. v.]
face of the country.
97
forming part of Iran ; 1 and mucli of the country washed by
those streams does not differ from the latter province in any
important particular. The table-land above-mentioned is,
however, remarkable, in being intersected by numerous deep
water-courses and valleys, but more particularly for the
numerous chains of mountains which branch out in many
directions from Ararat, and are inhabited by an industrious
race of peasants.
The country in general, especially the slopes of the several
chains of Taurus, may be said to be well wooded.
Armenia possesses several fine sheets of water, such as lakes Fertility of
Van, Urumiyah, Gouktcha or Sevanga, 2 near Erivan, and Armeilia '
many others of less note. It has the advantage also of being
traversed by some of the noblest rivers in the world, which are
fed by thousands of tributary streams, carrying fertility in every
direction throughout its beautiful valleys. Owing to the height
of the table-lands, and the extreme elevation of the mountains,
the temperature of Armenia is much lower than that of other
regions situated on the same parallels of latitude; but there
is, notwithstanding, much variety in its climate and products.
The soil is rich, and, instead of desert tracts, the unoccupied
portions consist of rich pasture grounds, on which numerous
horses 3 and other animals are fed. In the table-lands, and
other parts of Armenia which are but partially cultivated,
almost every kind of vegetable production is to be found.
G rain, F ruit, and other P roductions.
The wheat and barley are particularly fine ; nor is it very
uncommon to have three successive crops of grain in some
places. The gardens yield grapes in abundance, also oranges,
peaches, nectarines, figs, apples, pomegranates, and other
fruits.
Honey, wax, manna, and gall-nuts are exported from the
1 Chap. iv. 2 Once Likhnit.—Apercju, &c., Tome IV., p. 255.
3 Horses of Togormah.—Ezekiel xxvii. 14. The Armenians presented the
king with 20,000 young horses at the annual feast ol Mithra. Strabo, lib. XI.,
p. 529.
vol. i. 0