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



in clear weatlier, at a distance of about 26 miles ; but in summer it is 

 seldom seen, owing to the exhalations from the damp and marshy 

 jungles on the coast, which produce a thick haze, effectually conceal- 

 ing the view even from heights much nearer the sea. Opposite to, 

 and south of this point, a huge and jagged rock, which appeared to 

 be inaccessible, in the form of a pinnacle, towers above all the sur- 

 rounding mountains. It is called the Shahzadeh Kuh, or Prince's 

 Mountain, and is considered by the natives to be the highest peak in 

 the whole range, with the exception of Demavend. There is a tradi- 

 tion among them that Noah's Ark rested upon its rocky peak ; and 

 they affirm, with the fullest belief in the story, that a portion of the 

 Ark may still be found near its summit. At the base of this 

 mountain, the Niir and Laur, or Heraz Rivers take their rise. 

 From this pass we crossed the range by a circuitous and rocky path, 

 descending on the Mazanderan side of the hill to a spring of water, 

 the temperature of which was 40^ Fah., where we halted for the 

 night. The distance from Kamrman to the top of the pass is 6 miles, 

 and thence to the spring 4. The elevation at this spot is 9438 feet. 



Beyond the Valley of Zaniis, which lies immediately below, run- 

 ning north-east and south-west, we perceived the valley and extensive 

 district of Kujjiir bearing E. by N. A river passes through Kiij- 

 jiir, named the Shalis ; which, after being joined by two streams 

 flowing down the Zanus and Meekhsay Valleys, empties itself into 

 the sea. We did not visit this district ourselves, but were informed 

 by the natives that it contained numerous villages, and that its waters 

 abound in fish. 



Jvly 1 1th. — Leaving the spring at which we had encamped, we 

 descended by a tortuous path into the forest below. The view here 

 was such as one seldom has an opportunity of seeing in Persia, where 

 trees are so rare. Behind us rose the mountains we had just crossed, 

 the grey crests of which, in the form of huge towers, stood out in 

 bold relief against the clear morning sky. In the ravines which 

 separated these rocks from one another the snow still lay, contrasting 

 with the steep grassy banks which sloped away below, and giving rise 

 to streams which leaped from rock to rock till lost among the trees 

 on the lower portion of the mountain. Around us on all sides forest 

 trees, including oaks, elm, maple, and fir, together with wild apple 

 and pear-trees, clung to the steep sides of the valley, whose banks 

 were also clothed with ferns and other plants. Descending through 

 the valley of Zaniis in a north-easterly direction, we passed a few 

 small villages rudely constructed with branches and shingles, occu- 

 pied by charcoal-burners. The distance to Zaniis is 7 miles. This 

 is a large village, within 20 miles of the Caspian in a direct line, and 



