'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎58] (89/582)

58
FROM SERPOOL, ACROSS MOUNT ZAGROS.
at once a full stream of clear and excellent water. As the mountain
became steeper, it was necessary to alight, and walk up with our
horses. The scenery was fine, without being either romantically
grand or magnificent; the mountain was of lime-stone, of dif
ferent qualities, and presented many cliffs near its summit, as well
as steep slopes lower down, the whole of which was well wooded
with small trees of dark green leaves now in full foliage, and the
valleys were abundantly verdant. # In some of the views which
presented themselves as we wound up the mountain by a serpen
tine path, I observed several that reminded me of similar ones in
Lebanon, particularly near the cedars, and the valley of Hazbeheah,
on the way from Tripoly to Balbeck.
It was about an hour after our commencing the steep ascent,
that we came to a Roman ruin, called the Tauk, or Arch, as the
building at Ctesiphon is called Tauk Kesra, or the Arch of Kesra.
This ruin, if it may so be considered, for it is still in nearly a per
fect state, represents an arched recess, the back of which is formed
by the rock of the mountain planed away for that purpose, and
the sides and roof are built of masonry. The recess appeared to
be about twenty feet in height, twelve in breadth, and eight in
depth inside. The form of the arch is Roman ; it is well con
structed, and not a stone has apparently been moved from its
original bearing, though their outer surfaces are corroded by time
and the atmosphere of an elevated region. The -sides are formed
of large blocks of smoothly hewn stone, closely united without
cement, and even polished on the outer surface. The front pre
sents a moulding on the arch, which is itself supported by pilasters
This corresponds with the ancient descriptions of this district. Among others, Diodorus
says: " The country, on the first entrance into Persia from the west, and as far as the Lad
ders, as they are called, (i. e. the Passes of Mount Zagros,) is flat and low, exceedingly hot,
and barren of provision; but the rest is higher, of a wholesome air, and very fruitful. In this
part there are many shady valleys, a variety of pleasant gardens, natural walks bounded on
either side with all sorts of trees, and watered with refreshing springs; so that those who
journey this way, frequently halt here and regale themselves in these pleasant places with
great delight."-—DeWom Siculus, b. xix. c. 2.