"الطرق في بلاد فارس. (المجلد I.) (خراسان وسيستان.)" [و‎‎٦‎١] (٥٣٦/١٢٦)

Route No. IV — contd.
;has risen in bubbles forming a hard crust. After rain this is
said to be almost impassable for camels. The zone is about
6 miles in width. At about 116 miles the road begins to descend
into the valley of the Shur Rud. The descent is steep and
the road winds down to the river, which is crossed at about
118 miles. The river-bed is about 20 yards across ; the stream
is about 6 inches in depth. The water is so salt that it is
unfit for man or beast ; moreover, it is said to have injurious
effects on any man or animal foolish enough to drink it. When
crossing the stream care should be taken that the thirsty animals
do not attempt to quench their thirst. Up to the point where
the river is crossed there is not a vestige of grazing or of vegeta
tion of any kind or description. All fodder must be carried
for the animals. From the river there is a somewhat steep
ascent for about a mile up a narrow nala or gorge and over a low
pass. Thence the road descends on to a plain, the northern
edge of which is covered with a growth of tamarisk. This is
known as Sar-i-Jangal. In this plain the Shir in Rud, which
has its source near Haur dries up, and the proximity of t e
water to the foot of the pass above mentioned^ depends on the
dryness of the season, and consequently the distance to which
the water flows before drying up. In January the water was
fount at a distance of about two or three miles from the foot.
The water of the Rud-i-Shirin is sweet and plentiful.
Water. —Procurable, see description of stage.
Fuel. —Obtainable.
Fodder. —Camel-grazing from tamarisk and other bushes
plentiful.
Supplies.—N il
5 DEHANEH-I- 7| m. General direction
SHIRIN. SSW. The road
jg 2 | rises gradually up
•over on 1 almost level plain to the point, where the Shirin Rud
issues from the foot-hills. The road lies on the left bank of the
stream, which is about 5 feet wide and varying in depth from
,3 to 6 inches. The plain is stony and is covered with a growth
of adiir and shura and other camel-grazing plants. The usual
oamping-ground is at the exit of the river from the hills Here
four roads meet, namely, those from Garmab, Kerman, Aaiband
and Khabis.