'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.' [‎178] (233/905)

178
mekran.
[CHAP. VIII.
BALUCHISTAN comprehends a vast tract of mountainous
country, but little cultivated, and very thinly peopled, which
extends from 58° 55' to 67° 30' E. longitude, and from 24° 50'
to 30° 40' N. latitude. 1 The Indian Ocean is on the south,
Kirman on the west, Sinde and part of Shikapur on the
east, with Seistan and the Afghan country on the north. 2
The territory of the Baluches may be considered as divided
into four portions, which are unequal in size, and vary in
soil and climate. M ekran and Lus constitute the immediate
dependencies of Kelat to the north; four independent districts
on the east constitute the second; the third is Kohistan,
lying on the north-west; and the fourth is the adjoining
desert towards Seistan.
Beginning with the coast line, M ekran extends eastward
for 500 miles, from the mountains of Moghostan, or Bash-
kend, to the river Aghor; and its greatest breadth is about
220 miles. 3 Although less mountainous than the northern
divisions, there are many ranges running through and across
it, which fortunately assist, by the streams from them, in fer
tilizing a soil otherwise remarkably sterile. 4
In general, it is badly supplied with water, which is often
of an inferior quality; and it is only towards the coast that
the soil is more amply provided with streams. These chiefly
descend from the southern side of the great mountain chain,
which runs nearly parallel to the coast, at a distance varying
between 30 and 100 miles; but, with the exception of the
Dasti Nudee (river), or Mooleedanee, the Aghor Nudee, the
Muckloo Nudee, and some others, 5 they cease almost imme
diately after the rains which cause them, leaving extensive
rocky beds almost dry. 6 Comparatively little of Mekran is
cultivated, but the abundance of camels and horses shows,
that supplies of forage for the latter, and sustenance for the
former animal, exist in almost every direction. Towards the
Lieut. Henry Pottinger's Travels in Bdluchistdn. London, 1816., p. 249.
2 Ibid., p. 250. 8 Ibidi) p. 297.
4 Ibid. 5 Ibid., pp. 301, 302.
6 Such as Bhusool, the Roomra, the Suduk, the Nigar, the Neem Khoor,
the Gayanee, the Serrah, and other nullahs, or brooks.—Ibid.