I 



Mr Robertson o?i the Mechanical Arts of Persia. 297 



country, can scarcely be said to exist in Persia, tlie greatest 

 efforts in this department being there confined to the con- 

 struction of flat roofs of inconsiderable span ; and this might 

 be expected, from the circumstance of timber being there ex- 

 ceedingly scarce. 



For forming roofs a species of poplar is generally employed, 

 but for other purposes, oak, chesnut, plane, and the other 

 kinds of hardwood are used. The hard timber, as sold in the 

 bazaars, is all of small scantling, as it has to be brought from 

 the forest on the backs of mules or camels. 



In accordance with the invariable custom of all Eastern 

 artizans, the carpenter sits upon the ground while at work. 

 Instead of a bench, a strong stake is driven down before him, 

 leaving about 10 inches above the ground, and upon this he 

 rests his work, and keeps it steady with his feet. The facility 

 with which the work is executed, in such a disadvantageous 

 position, has always been a subject of surprise to European 

 workmen. In the royal arsenals, however, English tools are 

 used, and a better system of working has been introduced, 

 under the superintendence of British officers ; but in the na- 

 tive workshops, the workmen are still to be seen squatted on 

 the ground ; and, when it is considered that they have been 

 accustomed to this position from their infancy, and that their 

 tools are of such a nature as to act with efficiency when used 

 in this way, it is scarcely to be expected that any alteration 

 in their mode of working could be effected by mere example. 



The principal tools are the Frame-saw, Plate V., fig. 1. This 

 ?s somewhat like the English pit-saw, but less in size, and it 

 is used by drawing backwards and forwards ; the timber be- 

 ing supported at one end. Hand-saw, fig. 2. The board to 

 be cut up is placed against the stake already noticed, and kept 

 steady with the foot ; and as the teeth point backwards to- 

 wards the handle, the weight of the body assists in giving ef- 

 fect to the instrument. These saws are thin and light, as they 

 have not to resist a thrust like ours. 



Adze, fig. 3. This is a most useful tool, and I liave noticed 

 English workmen in Persia using it in preference to the axe 

 or paring-chissel for light work. 



VOL. XXXIII. NO. LXVI.— OCTOBER 1842. U 



