‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎208r] (422/722)

notwithstanding this partial evil, Khurasan may be said to possess a fine
and salubrious climate.
From what has been stated we may pronounce that, with the exceptioi
of the provinces on the shore of the Caspian, the climate of Fersia, though
very various, has everywhere the same quality of dryness and purity ot
atmosphere. It has been before mentioned that this kingdom has hardly
any great rivers, and does not abound in lesser streams or springs.. ie
consequence is that it has few trees, excepting those which are cultivated.
It perhaps owes some of its salubrity to this cause, as it is more tree than
other regions of Asia from those vapours and exhalations, which, thong
they fructify the soil, are often noxious to animal life. But this want
of wood, while it diminishes the general beauty of the country, is telt
as a most serious inconvenience by its inhabitants. Speaking geneia j,
however, we may certainly pronounce the temperature of the interior
provinces of Persia as delightful and healthy ; though there are, no doubt,
several parts of that kingdom subject to all the extremes of hear, and
others are far from salubrious. , , • -p - 0 fnr
Mineralogy.—No regular search ever having been made m Persia tor its
mineral wealth, our knowledge of this branch of its productions «pmte
up from tbe scattered notices of various writers on that country. A a P llth
is found at a spring situated at the foot of the Bakhtian mountains between
Shustar and Ram Hurmuz, and near the village of Dalaki m lars. .
Sulphur and saltpetre are found m the mountains north of . iluan, an
the latter also in the Khalkal district of Azerbaijan. ^ , d
There are mines of iron, copper, and silver in Azarbaijan, Mazandaran, a
Karman ; and of lead in Yazd and in the Khalkal district of Azarbaijan ; and
npsi* Shiraz also is a mitiG 01 . silver. ^ #
Coal of excellent quality and in any quantity is found near onanru
and near the villages of Hir, north-west oi iibran.
The marbles of Maragha and Khurasan are well known and are muc
smiP-ht after A verv good description is also found neai -azd.
Nfehdphr produces turquoise; with which it supplies the whole world.
Salt is found in several places on the coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , on the
isknl of Kishm, a few miles north of_ Ispahan, on the plain round Tabnz
near Kashan, and at Daulatabad near Nishapur.
The mineral productions of Persia, therefore, are
... _ Sulphur, lead, red, and yellow ochre, naphtha.
TTarman ... Lead, sulphur,.saltpetre.
... Lapis-lazuli, vitriol, coal, salt.
EMvasdn !*.! ... Turquoises,^, salt.
Srbat^n 11 !!! M°Se, salt,' sallpdtre, iron,'^pper, lead.
Zoolo(iy —The animal productions of Persia consist of the lion, jackal
wolf io( hare wild ass, wild sheep, the mountain goat, and deer of various
Wnds Jerhoas are found in considerable numbers m the plain of Dash-
tistan in Pars • wild hogs are abundant in Mazandaran and Gilan, an.e
lots are found n m“any parts, and are hunted by dogs; he wild ass
Isfound all over Persia, and is hunted and eaten by the inhabitants, who
“oTdmnettJalStth'rreAe the horse, mule, f ox
cavllly. There are several breeds of horses ; but the most valuable .s that