'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.' [‎189] (246/905)

CHAP. IX.]
MOUNTAINS OF PERSIA.
189
difficulties to be overcome in transporting goods across the
vast uncultivated tracts whicli lie between tlie towns.
The two great mountain chains already described 1 may be
said to form the natural limits of Persia northward and south
ward, the rest of the boundary consisting of the low tract
along the Caspian Sea, with part of the continuous plain on
the east and north-east; and Khuzistan, with the Gurmsir,
towards the south-west.
The extensive and elevated plateau of Persia occupies the Directions of
space from west to east, between the noble ranges above-men- e c aiIls '
tioned; and is intersected at intervals by other mountains,
which are most numerous towards the western extremity of
the triangle. Here, and from a spot near the eastern shore of
lake Urumiyah, numerous ridges diverge from the Sahund
branch as a central point, and cover the arc from the north
eastern to the southern extremity: that is, they occupy nearly
the whole of Azerbaijan. Eastward of these, the offset
branches from the main chains are less numerous, and take
various directions across the country, the most prevalent
course being from north to south. They do not, however,
form very regular or continuous chains, except in a few in
stances, as the Kafilan Koh, 2 which crosses the northern side
of'Irak Ajemi, the two parallel ranges traversing Kirman
from east to west near the centre, and the El Ahwas
(ancient Parakhoathras, or Parakoatras), with some lesser
branches, which commence to the southward of the capital,
and strike into 'Irak in a north-westerly direction. Naked
masses of gypsum, or more frequently sandstone and limestone,
compose these transverse ranges, which rise above the plateau
at intervals, like gigantic ruined walls of a reddish brown
colour, and form the rugged boundaries of the plains and
steppes.
Since the secondary and inferior water-courses will find a Principal
more appropriate place in the account of the several provinces
to which they are confined, those of the first order alone are
at present to be noticed. These are but few; and their
1 Chap. IV., pp. 64, 61, 13, and 14.
2 KapMn Koh, or Panther Mount.—Mr. Renouard.