402 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



grace, and delicacy ; and the manly character attains 

 the most majestic and venerable aspect. 



The primaeval focus of the family is traced up to 

 the highest glens of Hindu-Koosh, the real Imaus and 

 Caucasus of antiquity. In that region, or possibly still 

 higher, in the most elevated portion of ancient Turan, 

 the Cassio-regio of Thibet, Cassar, or Cashgar of Marco 

 Polo, it is that we must place the primaeval point of 

 departure ; for there, in a verdant fruitful region, a 

 Behesh or Paradise, according to Iranian nations, is 

 placed Ardukend, Ordukend, still more anciently 

 Arthur-keind, and now known as Behetseh Keng or 

 Keind. It has still ruins of arched avenues, the 

 work of ancient kings, and the locality is on the cara- 

 van road, on the north side of the plateau of Pamere, 

 eastward, going by Cashgar to China ; and westward, 

 down the Bolor range to Hindu-Koosh and Balkh. 

 In these mountain ridges the Kaufir of the present 

 time retains the full vigour, independence, and beauty 

 of his earliest progenitors, notwithstanding that he is 

 hunted like a wild beast by Moslem half bred tribes, 

 and debarred all access to more civilized nations. 

 His similarity to the ancient Greek nations is so strik- 

 ing, that it was believed the hardy mountaineers were 

 a relict of a Macedonian army left in the country ; nor 

 was the supposition a wild fancy, since dynasties of 

 Greek princes have ruled in Bactria and in Candahar 

 for several centuries after the memorable invasion of 

 Alexander the Great. 



