'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.' [‎217] (280/905)

CHAP. X.]
GILAN AND MAZANDERiN.
217
Gilan, or Kilan, 1 has a superficies of 4673 square miles. Productions
and forms the western part of this region ; being narrower of Gllan,
and closer to the mountains, it is more exposed to periodical
inundations than Mazanderan. The orange-tree, sugar-cane,
and cotton plant, do not succeed; but, with these exceptions,
and a larger cultivation of silk and rice, the other products
are nearly the same as in that province. Its commerce is,
however, superior, on account of the profits derived from
its raw and manufactured silks. The sea trade is through
the port of Enzelle; that by land, with Mushed, Herat,
Ispahan, and Teheran, takes place principally along the
substantial causeway 2 which secures the passage of laden
animals during the inundations.
Mazanderan, the country of the Mardi, 3 has a superficies and of Mazan-
of 8126 square miles; and, owing to its exuberant vegetation,
and the indigenous flowers clustering in wild luxuriance
round the trees, it is justly considered as the richest portion
of Persia. In this elysium of the Kajar princes, the finest
elms, cedars, cypress, and box trees abound, in the plain
along the Caspian, as well as on the slopes of the Elburz,
the higher parts of which are covered with shrubs and
brushwood. In addition to European fruits, oranges and
pomegranates, silk, cotton and sugar-cane are produced,
with rice and other grains in abundance. 4 It possesses, like
wise, the mercantile depots of Balfroosh and Amol. On the
coast is an abundant fishery of sturgeon, tunny, carp, and
salmon ; and from thence is drawn the chief supply of caviar
for the Russian market. The capital is Saree, the ancient
Zadracarta. 5
These two provinces, together with the others before men
tioned, represent the Media Magna of the ancients, which
1 From the people called Kileck.—Ogilby's Asia, p. 26 ; and probably the
Gelse of Herodotus, lib. III., cap. cxcviii.
s Constructed by Shdh Abbas.—Eraser's Description of Persia, p. 70.
s Herodotus, lib. III., cap. xciv.
4 Major Todd's Journey into Mazanderan.—Vol. VIII. Part I., pp. 103
and 104, of the Royal Geographical Journal.
s Eraser's Historical and Descriptive Account of Persia, p. 13.
VOL. I. 2 F