"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٢‎٩‎٨] (٥٤٢/٣٠٧)

298
LAND ROUTES
Miles from
Khur-
ramabad
76
771.
'' 2
78
781
80
trees or water. It slopes up to rock cliffs on either hand,
those to 1. being ^ m. distant, those to r. ^ m. This is
the frontier between the provinces of Luristan and
Kirmanshah.
The track, which is now in parts narrow and stony, descends
by easy gradients towards the upper (E.) end of the
Harsin valley.
Pass Tamarg on 1., 50 houses. Abundant water and some
willow plantations.
Continue descent to the Harsin valley. On reaching the
valley (which is here a broad cultivated plain) continue
along its N. side, descending gently by a broad track.
(The valley is about 8 m. broad and about 10 m. long
from the Gashur pass to the gorge at its SW. end below
Harsin town).
Lands irrigated by Ttarez near the road.
Pass a mound ^ m. to r.
Cross a stream with a fair volume of water. Then over
a small saddle, to the 1. of which on a mound is a ruined
fort.
Pass Karangi, 20 houses, on the Harsin stream, ^ m. to 1.
Continue along valley and pass through suburbs on E.
side of Harsin.
Harsin (alt. 5,230 ft.: about 2,000 houses in the town and
adjacent villages). The town lies on the N. side of the
valley, which is there bounded by steep and rocky
mountains, bare of trees. The gardens round and in
the town almost hide the houses. The remains of the
ancient castle consist of pinnacles and minarets rising
to a considerable height.
Supplies could be collected from the valley, which has
a considerable area of cultivation and large herds of
sheep, goats, and cattle.
The water-supply of the town is most abundant, the
principal source being a large spring rising in the
mountain close to the town. There are numerous
broad clear streams among the gardens. Grazing and
forage are abundant.
There is a site suitable for camping SE. of the town.
The valley is inhabited mainly by Harsini Kurds, but in
the villages in the upper part of the valley there are also