16 JOURNEY THROUGH DISTRICTS N. OF ELBURZ, [Nov. 8, 1858. 



crater, and about 16 feet deep by 5 broad ; the other, lower down to 

 the south-east, and much smaller. From both of these caves issues 

 a steam strongly impregnated with sulphur, which forms in crystals 

 over the whole interior surface. Not only from these points, but 

 from many small holes in the rocks, this steam issues in strong jets. 

 AVe had intended to pass the night in one of the caves, but found it 

 impossible to do so from the rarefaction of the air, and from the 

 eftect which the sulphuric vapours had upon us. Below the cave, 

 and to the north-east side of the cone, there is a large glacier, at so 

 steep an angle as to be altogether impracticable. It was smaller this 

 year than in 1855, but the blue points of ice stretching away far 

 .below still presented a fine appearance. We had made the ascent on 

 the south-eastern side of the mountain, and the path we had followed 

 appeared to be nearly the only practicable one. 



We were unfortunate in the day we selected for the ascent. The 

 morning had been clear, but by the time we reached the Bamshi 

 Bend the weather had changed, and a heavy fall of snow continued 

 during the whole time we were at the summit, the thermometer de- 

 scending to 29^ Fah. in the open air. This prevented us from 

 obtaining a view, such as we had enjoyed on our previous ascent, 

 which was both extensive and magnificent. 



We remained at the top for about an hour and a half, and then 

 descended by one of the ravines-, taking advantage of the snow, 

 wherever we found it, to slide down. 



The next day we returned to the Mission Camp at Laur by the 

 same road which we had followed two days before. 



The height of the mountain, the ascent of which we have just made, 

 took us much by surprise. From Tehran and the neighbouring hills, 

 though always a conspicuous and remarkable object, it fails entirely 

 to give a correct idea of the real elevation, which is, as before stated, 

 21,520 feet. This can only be accounted for by the fact that between 

 it and the observer, from this side, there exist other ranges of great 

 height, which must necessarily have the eifect of dwarfing any 

 object behind them ; and also that Tehran itself is at an elevation of 

 3600 feet. From Mazanderan, however, the view of this great 

 mountain is truly grand : thence the whole of its enormous height 

 unbroken from the summit to the base is seen, and that from a point 

 80 feet below the ordinary level of the sea. 



It may therefore be as well to record the observations upon which 

 we base the statement of the height of Demavend. 



Tehran is known from repeated observations to be 3600 feet above 

 the level of the sea. The instruments used were hypsometrical 

 apparatus by Mr. Casella, 23, Hatton Garden, and the results of the 



