LOFTUS TURKO-PERSIAN FRONTIER. 263 



From the Bedderhii to Kalah i Kiza (about five miles) the same 

 series of sandstones and marls is continued ; but from the latter 

 place an alluvial plain of five miles is passed over to the A'b i Zal. 

 This plain is covered over with enormous limestone-boulders and 

 gravel-conglomerate, generally concealing the underlying strata ; but 

 the outcrop of the gypsum may still be observed, resting against the 

 slope of the range. I examined the junction of these rocks with 

 great care, and there can be no doubt of the perfect conformability 

 of the gypsum to the limestone. The beds of the former here retain 

 the same earthy and cavernous structure throughout their total 

 thickness, without any alteration in appearance. 



Proceeding N.W. from the A'b i Zal, we enter the trough formed 

 by the limestone-saddle of the Kebir Kiih, on the S.W., and of the 

 Kealun Range, on the N.E. At first, the rocks of the gypsum- 

 series, overlaid by limestone-conglomerate and -boulders, occupy the 

 whole breadth of the trough (about eight miles across) ; and exhibit 

 powerful beds of compact, massive, calcareous gypsum, of dirty- 

 white or grey colour, traversed by blue veins or markings. 



A variety, quite white, earthy, containing crystals of selenite, very 

 cavernous and friable, is observable where the beds are much con- 

 torted ; which is often the case in this lowest portion of the series, 

 when crushed together in a trough. These beds of gypsum may be 

 followed with the eye for an immense distance, as they strike out in 

 long lines, or form conspicuous patches parallel to, and extending 

 along, the base of the limestone-ranges. 



At Piil i Tang, ten miles above the A'b i Zal, the underlying lime- 

 stone protrudes through the gypsum-rocks, dividing the deposits in 

 the trough into two parts, and throwing them up with much contor- 

 tion against the skirts of the ranges which bound the valley. The 

 two kinds of gypsum associated with variegated marls are thus 

 largely developed at Bagh i Khan, on the western base of the 

 pass over Kuh i Kealun, the colours of the latter, red, blue, and 

 green, almost rivaling the brightness of our own beautiful section at 

 Alum Bay. After descending from the Kealun Mountain, the road 

 for fifteen miles crosses an extensive tract, known par excellence as 

 the Chul, or Desert, — a succession of very much contorted sands, 

 variegated marls, and gypsum ; the coloured marls occupying the 

 north side of the undulating plain. The scene is barren in the ex- 

 treme at the end of September, and possesses neither habitations, 

 trees, nor streams of water. In spring, however, this Chiil must be 

 very beautiful. It is then frequented by numerous tribes of the Liirs 

 on account of the rich herbage which everywhere abounds ; but the 

 scorching heat of the summer soon converts its bright green sward 

 into a glaring yellow grass-stubble, covering the hills and concealing 

 the stratification. A few well-built tombs are the only signs that 

 man ever dwells here; and these, coated with pure white plaster 

 derived from the gypsum, are excellent land-marks for the lost 

 traveller. 



To the Chul succeeds a wide valley of elevation, bounded on the 



