'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.' [‎260] (295/450)

%
260 PLAIN OF KIIANAKEEN.
two insignificant mounts, which, however, appeared
to be artificial. At seven we came to the canal of
Kizzelrebat. The soil was gravelly and covered
with a thin vegetation, making good sheep-walks, in
which we saw large flocks of sheep and goats.
At a quarter before eight we reached the hills.
The first range were of earth, much furrowed and
broken up by rain, then came a ridge composed of
gravel and pebbles bound together by a scanty soil,
and here and there some sandstone appearing. We
passed through a narrow defile, called Sakal loutan
(beard-catcher) on account of the thieves which
infest it, into a plain, or I may rather say a basin,
filled with remains of broken hills, covered with
soil washed down from the higher ridges.
At nine we reached Yenitcheri Tepeh, which is
reckoned half way between Kizzelrebat and Khana-
keen. Our road wound through hills, and alter
crossing a second ridge we began to descend by a
very gradual slope towards Ivhanakeen. 1 he liill''
we had passed are scarcely higher than those of yes
terday, and appeared to be more entirely composed
of pebbles and earth, the sandstone only here and
there appearing in strata inclining towards the
centre.
The plain of Khanakeen was verdant and agree
able, and diversified here and there with some lines
of little hills. The soil was gravelly. Indian corn
and tobacco are grown, and there was much grass.