‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎239r] (484/722)

Coal lias been discovered, and in some instances partially worked, in the
Alburz at Hir and other places. Gold and silver
mines are spoken of near Mashhad. Nishapur pro-
Coal, metals, turquoise.
dnces turquoise, with which it supplies the whole world. Iron, copper, lead,
are found in many localities.
Animals.
The domestic animals of Persia.—The camels of Khurasan are deemed
equal to those of Arabia; but the western portions of
Persia are too mountainous for this beast of burden.
Domestic animals.
Sheep constitute the wealth of all the wandering tribes, the Hocks of the
Kurds alone being reckoned at 40,000,000. Goats are plentiful: those of
Karman produce a wool little inferior to that of Cashmere. Bam is cele
brated for its pack and riding oxen ; and Farashband for its asses. Mules
can be procured in considerable numbers in many places. At Kazrun and
other places there are various excellent breeds of horses. ‘ Yabu 3 is the
name by which the inferior-bred animal, whatever his class or size, is known ;
but they have all generally great powers of endurance ; and among the common
stage horses excellent animals may be found.* The Dashtistan Arab is said
even to rival those of Najdin quality and beauty; and the more nearly the native
Persian horse approaches the Arab, the more he is valued. There are Persian
horses, which are of nearly pure Arab blood, and accustomed to the mountain
districts. These are the best of all. The Turkuman is of a totally distinct
breed, from 14| to 16 hands, more resembling the English horse. They have
been known to travel 900 miles in eleven successive days. Persian horses
are seldom delicate, but suffer from contracted feet, owing to bad shoeing.
Persia abounds with wild animals and wildfowl; and
the Caspian swarms with fish. Insects are very trouble
some on the Caspian and Tigris and Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . In all damp spots snakes
abound ; and poisonous spiders and centipedes in dry places and ruins.
The bite of the scorpion of Kashan is said to be very venonous ; as is also
that of the shabgaz, a bug found at Bidasht, Mianah, Mikhbeg.t
Travelling and roads .—The mode of travelling in Persia is easy and
commodious. In winter they generally begin their journey at sunrise. The
baggage precedes, and then the master follows. He breakfasts either before
he sets off, or in a more pleasant spot on the road (regarding in each case the
advantage of a stream of running water as the motive of preference) ; and
thus he allows time for his luggage to reach the stage before him, and his
people to prepare every thing for his reception, spread his carpets, and
get the necessary articles for cooking his dinner. On his arrival he eats
his chashta-, or intermediate meal, and then sleeps. At sunset he takes
another repast (his nashta); and his servants then pack up everything, ready
for his departure the next morning. He proceeds by easy stages, generally
from five to six leagues a day, which, as he always rides his own horses,
is a good day's journey at the common rate of travelling. If he has a
* Colonel Baker in Clouds in the Hast (p. 81) states that he purchased a common stage pony,
which was very fast, the most untiring little animal he ever came across ; and it could scramble
over places in the mountains where one would have thought nothing but a goat could keep its
footing.
f War Office Report ends here.