'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎612r] (1228/1278)

KUH—KUH
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simple lot, devoid of latent fanaticism. In Taft, Parsis and Muhammadans
live peaceably side by side. A large proportion of the population are Babis,
or else openly sympathise with them. The greater part of the inhabitants
of Masheh belong to this sect.
Climate. —The winter, as might be expected in these elevated regions, is
very severe, and the inhabitants of the valleys are frequently cut off from
all communication with the outside world for days together. The first falls
of snow usually take place about the end of November, and the thaw usually
set in February. The higher hills are snow-clad until March or April,
while the crevasses and ravines of the loftier peaks contain snow and ice all
the year round, and supply the city with large quantities during the summer
months. During the month of June, the hot weather sets in at Yazd. At
this season a large number of the inhabitants leave the city and come up to
Kuhistan, where they have gardens and summer houses. Towards the
end of September, when the weather becomes cooler, they return to the city.
Produce and supplies, etc. —All the supplies of Yazd, such as sheep, fruit,
vegetables, firewood and grass come from these hills ; and also the chief
water-supply is led from here by qandts.
The followbxg are among the products of Kuhistan :—
Fruits. Mulberries, white and black, apples, cherries, melons, plums?
walnuts, filberts, apricots, greengages, peaches, quinces and grapes.
Vegetables.' Potatoes, cabbages, spinach, lettuces, cucumbers, beetroot,
radishes, onions and celery.
Besides fruit trees there are an abundance of others, chief amongst which
are the poplar and the willow. On the hills every sort of shrub is found •
while the asafcetida plant provides a lucrative employment to the inhabi
tants, who collect the juice which is exported in great quantities to Bombay.
Many of the villages and towns contain numerous silk-worms, and in others
such as Sanij, one cannot walk a few paces without stumbling over a beehive ;
for in this country, with the usual disregard for the safety and convenience
of the general public, the hives are all placed on the ground.
Minerals. —There are no mines working in the hills, but there are some
caves near Taft which are partially artificial, and there are traces of copper
ore in places. In the Palangan hills near NarakI, there are marble rocks
and traces of iron ore in places. Antimony is found in the Kuh Ardarushk
pieces having been picked up on the surface by shepherds ; crystals are
found in the hills w T est of Masheh, and there are some celebrated marble
mines at Turum Pusht.
Game. —The wild sheep, ibex, antelope, leopard, hyaena, wolf, jackal, fox,
grey partridge, quail, pigeon, and sandgrouse abound, and the imperial
sandgrouse and hare are found on the plateau. Game however is very wild,
being much shot at.
Water. —There are large streams flowing down from the Deh Bala Tizar-
jan, Bavanat and Masheh valleys but such is the dryness of the soil that
they totally disappear on the plain west of Sar-i-Yazd. There is sufficient
water flowing from the eastern slopes of Kuhistan to form a rapid river,
20 yards broad and 3 feet deep. The streams flowing from the western
slopes of the hills are smaller, but contain an ample supply of water ; and
the soil also on the plateau to the west appears to contain more water, as