"استطلاعات في بلاد الرافدين وكردستان وشمال غرب بلاد فارس ولرستان في الفترة من أبريل إلى أكتوبر ١٨٨٨، كتبها المقدم ف. ر. مونسيل، فرع الاستخبارات. يوجد مجلدان. المجلد الأول: تقرير سردي ووصف للمدن الكبرى والطرق المؤدية منها. شيملا: فرع الاستخبارات، إدارة قائد الإمداد والتموين، ١٨٩٠" [ظ‎‎٢‎٣] (٣١٢/٥١)

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and growing 1 splendid grass and fodder of all kinds in the spring time. The
soil on the mountains, though stony, is fertile, and the slopes are thickly
wooded with low oaks and shrubs of all kinds. Trees suffer from the most
wanton destruction by the nomad tribes, and consequently the best are found
in the most inaccessible places.
Dwarf oak bearing gall nuts, pistachio, hawthorn and ilex are the common
est trees.
Another peculiar feature in these hills are the “ tangs ” by which the
rivers and streams force their way through the mountain ranges. Streams
frequently force their way directly at right angles through enormous
masses and ridges of rock. These chasms or canons are not situated at the
lowest or narrowest portion of the range, but most frequently divide it at
its highest point and expose a perpendicular section of 1,000 feet and
upwards. The width of the “tang” varies considerably, sometimes being
exceedingly narrow and at other times a mile or more across. As often as
not they are perfectly impassable, or only the merest footpath leads through
them, and the only passable route leads up and down over the neighbouring
ridge.
The main ranges of the Pusht-i-Kuh commence to the south of Karind in
the Bend-i-Nua (the ancient Zagros), a lofty conical peak 8,250 feet
high.
To the south-west of this is a long ridge, commencing near Kasr-i-Shirin
and running south-east, called in succession the Sunbulah Kuh, the Kaladja
Kuh and Yardalan Kuh, all the same range, and forming the backbone of the
mountains. It is steep and impassable for the greater part of its length, and
at its south-east extremity merges in the mountainous country of Pish Kuh
at the head-waters of the Kashgan River. South of the Kaladja Kuh is another
lofty range ending towards the north-west in Manisht Kuh (9,500'), and
continued to the south-east in the Gatcha Kuh. This is covered with snow
for the greater part of the year.
North-west of Manisht Kuh are several smaller ranges getting lower until
the plain of the Alwand, near Khanikin, is reached. Next to the Gatcha Kuh
and parallel to it to the south-west is the Kebir Kuh, the highest range in
the Pusht-i-Kuh, along the eastern slope of which flows the Kerkhah. The
most westerly ridge overlooking the Tigris plain near Ali Gherbi and Amara
is the Annoran Kuh, almost the same elevation as the Kebir Kuh.
Extending the whole way along the western slope of the Pusht-i-Kuh
from the Diala Valley to the Kerkhah near Hawaizah is a fringe of low
hills of conglomerate and gypsum soil, which causes the water passing through
to become bitter and brackish. The first ridge of hills bordering the desert
is called by the Arabs Jabal Hamrin, and applies to any of the low ridges
from Khanikin to Hawaizah. “ Hamrin ” is a shrub or grass on which they
feed their camels, which grows abundantly on these hills, and they apply the
name to any part of the outlying ridges in consequence. This makes the
names in some maps very confusing.
The routes into South-West Persia from the Tigris valley and Shustar
are as follows:
I*—The main route from Baghdad to Karmanshah through Khanikin,
Kasr-i-Shirin and ascending to Karind by the Tak-i-Girra Pass.
This route is well-known (see Route III).
II.—From Baghdad to Karmanshah by Mendali Zarna and Harunabad
(see Route I). This was an old trade route, but is now very
little used owing to the insecurity of the country.