'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.' [‎354] (429/905)

354
ANCIENT FYLJE.
[CHAP. XV.
The passes of the Saihun, directs its course southward along a grand and
thfrrnks 7 picturesque valley, whilst a third valley presents a succession
of'wooded hills as it runs E.N.E. by Bereketli Ma'den towards
Kai'sariyeh. A short distance north-westward of the separa
tion just noticed, high and bold rocks close in upon the road,
as.well as upon the bed of the river, scarcely leaving a suffi
ciency of room to pass north-westward along the latter; this
leads into another wild and rocky valley, which runs from the
opposite side of the stream. The approach to these valleys,
especially from the southern side, is commanded by the bat
teries and entrenchments which, till recently, were the
advanced posts of the Sultan's troops. All things considered,
these are stronger and more defensible than the southern
defiles. This, no doubt, is the spot called Pylse, which was
not only narrow and overlooked by the hills, but its approaches
were broken by a number of streams spreading on every side
from the foot of the mountain. 1 It is, in fact, difficult to
imagine anything more formidable than would be the approach
to either of the Pylse Cilicise; and if the passes just men
tioned were the only means of entering the province, stones
thrown from the heights would, as Alexander remarked, be
sufficient to overwhelm the assailants; 8 but as there are valleys
on the sides of these passes, it is obvious that their flanks may
in every case be gained by foot soldiers, and not unfrequently
ta h rned inaybe c&va ^ r y also ma y turn tliem - Tta road, after clearing the
pass, winds for a time along the wooded slopes, and then
descends into an ordinary valley plain, in which is the castle
of Mar'ash, and the town and castle of Nigdeh towards the
commencement of the plain of Koniyeh. Although the dis
tance to the latter from the plains of Cilicia is considerable,
yet the route is comparatively level, and the passage is suited
for caravans and even carriages ; and being the easiest route
across the Taurus, as well as the most direct line of communi
cation with the central parts of Asia Minor, its general use in
ancient times may be easily accounted for.
The mountainous country on the western side of Fch-ili was
Quin. Cur., lib. III., c. iv.
2 Ibid.