'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.' [‎216] (279/905)

216
kirman-shah.
[chap. x.
government, Kirman-shali has, from a mere village, become,
in 50 years, a considerable town. It covers three or four
swelling hills at the foot of the Koh-seeah range, and near
the south-western extremity of the rich valley bearing its
name. It has five gates, and numerous towers flanking a
loop-holed wall of nearly three miles in circumference, within
which there are about 10,000 houses, chiefly Shi'ah; and
the tract of country about it is the more picturesque, as there
are numerous gardens and kiosks within the natural in-
closure formed by the surrounding range of rugged limestone
mountains. 1
remains. Northward of the high road leading through the gates
of Zagros, towards the borders of Ardelan, 2 are the ruins
of Darnah; and those of Semiram, 3 towards the district of
Sulei'maniyah. Beyond the western confines are Zarnah
and Holwan ; 4 and again, eastward of Kirman-shah, the well
known ancient remains of Tak-i-Bostan, Bisutun, and Conco-
bar. The last, now the small town of Kangawar, is in the
mountains, near the frontiers of 'Irak, and contains the ruins
of a temple of Diana. 5
deXglhe 01 ' r ^ e of alluvial soil which encircles the Caspian
Caspian. Sea is remarkable for its fertility and cultivation. This tract
extends about 300 miles in length from east to west, with a
width varying from 5 to 30 miles, between the sea on one
side and the foot of the Elburz on the other. The northern
slopes of the latter are furrowed by parallel descending
fissures ; and the plain onward is, for the most part, covered
with a dense forest, in which are numerous huts, either
surrounded by rice^ and corn fields, or, more frequently, by
rich orchards: for the fine soil and warm temperature of this
part of Persia produce the most luxuriant fruits and vegeta
tion. These bounties of nature are, however, accompanied
by fevers and other diseases, which are caused by exhalations
from the ground.
1 MS. Journal of Mr. A. A. Staunton, R.A.
P. 28, Vol. IX. Part V,, of the Royal Geographical Journal.
3 Ibid., p. 29. / ^ Calah.—Ibid., p. 35,
MS. of Mr. A. A. Staunton's Journey.