'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎71] (98/450)

CH. XV.]
LIME CRUSHING.
71
The lime-hills behind Baasheka are composed of
sandstone, limestone and gypsum. We saw a great
quantity of the latter, seemingly of a very good
quality, preparing for use at the village. It is first
broken into pieces, then burnt, and afterwards re
duced to a fine powder by being placed in a circle
- paved with stones, and rather lower at the perimeter
than the centre. Mules tread round this as if they
were treading out the corn, dragging after them
a heavy stone-roller, not cylindrical, but square,
which at every turn beats the time with its whole
weight. It is a simple and convenient contrivance.
From an eminence just behind the village I had
several sights with my compass, and among the rest
of Ain u Safra or Saree Boolak, or yellow spring,
about an hour and a half distant, bearing S. 36 E.
from the village. It is situated in a ravine, and
descending from the north end of the hill runs south
towards the north-east. The water is of a yellow
colour and acid t^ste. It is one of the springs held
sacred by the Yezids, as already mentioned *.
A large mount with a flat surface, its sides broken
fallen into error and darkness. Those whom they call their Sheikhs
wear black turbans, whence they are called Kara Bash (black
head) ; they never hide their women. They buy places in Para
dise from their Sheikhs, and on no account curse the Devil or
Yezid. The Sheikh Hadi has made our fast and prayer a part of
their abominable faith, and they say that at the day of judgment
he will cause numbers to enter into Paradise. They have a great
enmity to the Doctors of the Law."
* bee p. 69.