'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎7] (48/905)

CHAP. I.] COUNTRY BORDERING THE HALYS.
7
Asia almost the whole way from the sea of Cyprus to the Geography of
Euxine, and was once the boundary of the kingdom of the Haly8
Croesus on the east. Herodotus 1 says, that the empire of
Lydia was divided from Media by the river which comes
from the Armenian mountains. It runs at first through
Cilicia; then between Matiena on the right and Phrygia on
the left; afterwards it passes the lands of the Syrians, having
Cappadocia to the right and Paphlagonia to the left. And,
according to Arrian, 2 it divides the Sinopians from the
Armenians. Its name 3 is derived from the salt country
through which it passes. The Turkish name is, however,
Kizil (Red), such- being the colour of the soil throughout
much of its course. Pliny calls it an immense river of Asia Greek
Minor; 4 and Strabo says that its waters are of a salt and of
bitter taste ; 5 which is particularly the case in the salt districts
of Sivas and Yarapason.
The country bordering on the Halys is, for the most part,
but thinly peopled, and only partially cultivated; chiefly
owing, as it is said, to the apprehension entertained that the
produce may be consumed by the hordes of Kurds who
inhabit the mountains in summer, and descend to the plains
in winter, accompanied by their numerous flocks; but more
probably for want of a commercial outlet. Here the produc
tions of a warm climate are found, such as melons, figs, pome- Asia Minor
granates, grapes, &c., as well as the dye called yellowberry. 6 near the Halys '
There is, on the whole, such a fair proportion of the neces
saries of life, that the people are at their ease, notwithstanding
the forced loans exacted by the Kurds, and the other imposi
tions to which they are subject. Throughout a distance of
about 100 miles E.N.E., from Yuz Kat to Tokat, the country
is a succession of plains, separated by low hills. This part
is well peopled, well cultivated, 7 and enjoys a moderate
1 Lib. I. c. 72; also V. c. 52.
2 Arrian, Periplus
8 In Greek, "AXvg. —Strabo, lib. XII., p. 35. 4 Lib. VI., c. 2.
Lib. XII., p, 546 ; and Excerpta ex. Strabone in Dodwell, p. 46.
6 Rhamnus infectorius.
7 Wherever I have been in Asia Minor, the fields were thoroughly cleaned
by weeding during the early part of the growth of the grain.