Nov. 8, 1858.] AND ASCENT OF DEMAVEND. 13 



where the guides, &c. necessary for the ascent were waiting for ns. 

 The distance from Laur to this place is about 18 miles. 



The lower portion of the mountain of Demavend does not differ 

 much from its neighbours. In fact, if anything, it is perhaps less 

 steep and difficult to ascend. It consists chiefly of long high ridges, 

 which commence at the foot of the cone, and run out for some 

 distance, when they end abruptly. The valleys and ravines between 

 these ridges are deep, and for the most part covered with loose 

 stones, gravel, and earth. Here and there huge volcanic rocks pierce 

 through the outer covering, breaking the larger valleys into ravines. 

 Strange to say, there are but few springs on this mountain. 



We commenced the ascent by proceeding up an even slope covered 

 with large stones, between which flowers of different descriptions 

 sprung up in great variety. On reaching the top of this slope we 

 entered a narrow ravine of excessive steepness. In 1855, when we 

 first made the ascent of Demavend, we found a tolerable track up 

 this ravine, but a torrent having swept with great violence over this 

 part of the mountain during the last winter, all traces of it had dis- 

 appeared. 



The ascent of this ravine was consequently painful and fatiguing 

 in the extreme, the loose stones rolling away from under our feet at 

 every step. Having at length gained the top, we found before us a 

 large extent of ground covered with huge shapeless blocks of basalt, 

 over which we made our way with some difficulty. Beyond this we 

 had to cross at right angles a ravine filled with snow, and extremely 

 steep. There is, however, not much danger in crossing this if 

 caution be used, except in the early morning, when the snow being 

 frozen, one is liable by a slip to be precipitated some hundred feet 

 into the valley below. After this the ground becomes more practi- 

 cable — it is very steep, but covered with a firm soil of reddish colour, 

 on which plants of great variety grow in considerable numbers. 

 Among others, we noticed the forget-me-not, wild thyme, lavender, 

 and ferns, besides a beautiful variety of the everlasting flower, of 

 most delicate form and colour. This plant we found at a higher 

 elevation than any other. After a fatiguing walk of four and a half 

 hours we reached a small tent we had before sent on, and which was 

 pitched some distance below the foot of the cone, by a spring of 

 water. 



The elevation of this point is 12,664 feet, and shortly above it 

 vegetation ceases. The temperature of the air in the tent was not 

 so low as might have been expected, the mercury falling no lower 

 than 39° Fah., but outside the cold must have been intense, for a 

 stream which during the day flows from the melting snows above, 



