'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎151] (320/524)

FROM BUSHIRE TO SHIRAUZ.
151
latter place about 18 miles, or rather more, is half way up the Pass,
where there is a new and substantial caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). , enjoying fine air,
commanding an extensive view of the country, and supplied from an
abundant and excellent spring of water close at hand. There is, however,
no village near, nor are any supplies obtainable, unless a little straw, &c.
for the mules, from a man who, as usual, maintains himself at the serai
door by the sale of such supplies to caravans.
37. This caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). , known as Meoon-kutal, is, in my opinion,
the first point you arrive at where the climate can be considered such
as would suit the European during the hot season. From this pass
onwards the hills also become more thickly wooded, and the trees—the
wild fig, wild cherry, and other wild fruit and miscellaneous trees—
though still what in favoured countries would be considered of stunted
and parched appearance, are of larger growth than those on the lower
ranges.
38. From the serai, the next stage lies up the remainder of the
pass to what is perhaps the highest point along the entire route, and
thence, over some wooded undulating ground, and down a bowlder-
strewn steep, into the valley of Dusht-i-Arjan. This valley or plain is
remarkable for its ample supply of water, for its verdure, and for it
being a favourite haunt of the Eliants during the warm season. Like
many of its fellow valleys, Dusht-i-Arjan bears the appearance of
having once formed a lake. Much of it is still in swamp, watered from
a copious and sweet spring, which wells up at the base of a precipitous
rock, and passing under the grateful shade of a few large willow and
palm trees, at once becomes a broad sparkling stream. As an instance
of the variations of temperature experienced along this line, I may
mention that the thermometer which at Konar-Thakhta we left at 110°
sunk just before sunrise in Dusht-i-Arjan to 47°. The fall during the
last ten minutes was 10°. My native followers began to feel the effects
of fever in this plain, and continued to sicken until we returned from
Sbirauz. One real inconvenience in this valley is its mosquitoes, which
are the most numerous and most venomous I have anywhere found. It
was, indeed, impossible to sleep for them, A small village lies within
a few hundreds of yards of the group of trees above noticed, and which
forms the pleasantest halting ground. Mares, cows, and flocks may
be seen feeding in considerable numbers so long as the Eliants are in
the plain. Grass would be abundant in the spring. The plain may