'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.' [‎133] (186/905)

CHAP. VII.] RIVERS, CLIMATE, ETC.
133
Sougait, or Bielaio (White Water) ^ but in that of Kuba are Rivers of Baku,
the Samour, or Sambour-chai, the Koussar-chai, the Koudial- &c *
chai, and the Kara-chai, with their numerous affluents. The
districts of Tabasseran, Kara-Kai'takh, and Tarku, are still
more amply watered by the Gouriene-chai, the Bouam, the
Khamanda, the Darbakh, and the Ghemri-Ozen; also the
Koisson, the Tarkali-Ozene, the Tcherkies Ozene, the Boni-
naki, and the Rousse Boulakh, &c. 2
In the neighbourhood of Baku the soil is sandy and sterile,
and on the sides of the mountains westward it is likewise
poor, yielding a scanty supply of grain; but in Derbend and
Kuba the plains and valleys are covered with a rich black loam.
Daghestan has three kinds of climate. That of the plains
is warm and unwholesome. The medium climate prevails
along the slopes of the mountains, which, owing to a more
moderate degree of heat, are healthy; and this is still more
decidedly the case in the highest and coldest tracts, where
the third climate prevails. 3
Exclusive of the unproductive district of Baku, and the lis animals,&c.
more arid portions of the mountains, the animal and vegetable
productions of Daghestan are nearly those of Europe, with
the addition to the former of tigers, panthers, camels, and
buffaloes; and to the latter of silk, cotton, tobacco, madder,
naphtha, and saffron. 4 These products, in addition to the
fisheries of sturgeon, turtle, &c., give a considerable export
trade to Persia and Russia ; 5 the value of which, however, is
greatly exceeded by that of the imports. 6
The province contains many villages, but very few towns.
At its southern extremity is Baku, the capital of the district
of that name, which is fortified, and has a citadel on the
north-west side, containing the palace of the ancient chiefs. 7
The population consists of nearly 7000 Tartars, living in
badly built houses with flat terraced roofs.
Apenju, &c., Tome IV., p. 11, &c.
2 Ibid., pp. 187 to 189. 3 Ibid., pp. 96 to 99.
4 Equal to that of Italy or India.—Ibid., pp. 21 to 36, 106 to 129, and
140 to 181. 5 About 380,000^.—Ibid., pp. 50 to 129.
6 About 700,000^.—Ibid., pp. 130 to 187.
7 Anciently Kbounsar: in the tenth century it had the name of Naffaty —
Ibid., pp. 79 to 89.