Nov. 8, 1858.] AND ASCENT OF DEMAVEND. . 7 



(161 W. of S.) covered with trees and jungle, through which the 

 low country of Mazanderan is entered. The descent on the northern 

 side is equally abmpt, and is also about 2 miles in length. 



July 15th. — During the night a heavy dew fell, completely satu- 

 rating our bed-covering. Although this dew is productive of no bad 

 effect at this elevation, it is otherwise on the shores of the Caspian, 

 where the natives are extremely careful to avoid exposing themselves 

 to it at night. Our path now descended in a parallel line with a 

 rapid stream for four miles, quitting the Mazanderan road on the 

 left at the second mile. This route is only practicable for a few 

 months during the hot season, and is mainly used by the villagers 

 near Tehran, who gain a . livelihood by transporting charcoal from 

 Mazanderan to the capital. After two miles course north-east, we 

 entered the Valley of Diina, through which flows a small mountain 

 stream, joining that which waters the valley we had just left ; and 

 together they dash through a magnificent ravine, guarded on either 

 side by large precipices of red sandstone. The district of Diina is 

 small, containing only two villages of 60 families each. Continuing in 

 a northerly direction, we crossed a mountain-pass, which, compared 

 to the others in the neighbourhood, was neither high nor difficult, 

 and thence descended into a narrow valley, at the eastern extremity 

 of which there is one small village. The distance from Diina is 3 

 miles. The valley is called Kamrman, and is the property of the 

 present Prime-Minister of Persia. Elevation 7860 feet. A stream 

 flows through it, which, at a distance of 3 miles north-west, forces 

 its way to the wooded country below through a wild and narrow 

 gorge crowned with precipices of enormous height, which, with the 

 hills above, are partially covered with forest trees. 



July l(5th. — Two roads lead from the valley of Kamrman — one 

 conducting to the valley of Niir, over a hill to the north of Shah- 

 zadeh Kiih ; and the other, which we followed, taking a north- 

 easterly direction over the range which forms the boundary between 

 the districts of Kamrman and Niir on one side, and Mazanderan on 

 the other. The summit of this pass shows an elevation of 10,890 

 feet. To the left of the road a lofty peak rises to the height of 

 1000 feet above the pass, and to the summit of this we went to 

 obtain a better idea of the country we had crossed. The range we 

 were now upon was of great height, forming the northern limit to 

 the Elbiirz chain. Looking down from its crest we saw below us a 

 low range of well- wooded hills, cut up in several places by deep, 

 rocky gorges, and opening in others into fertile valleys. These 

 gradually diminish in height, and at length disappear in the low level 

 country of Mazanderan. From this peak the Caspian Sea is visible, 



