1853.] Ibn HuokuVs aecount of Khorasan. 157 



countries ; but the delicacy and flavour of Merv productions are 

 superior. Of its fruits the melon is large and is exported to Erak ; 

 but I am not sure if it is carried to other countries. 



As to the city, the cleanliness, the beauty of the place, the ar- 

 rangement of the divisions and of the houses, the windings of the 

 canals, the vineyards, the marked difference of the people of the 

 bazars from those of other places, all stamp the superiority of Merv 

 over other parts of Khorasan. On its deserts flourish the Turunj- 

 been which is carried over the world, as also are its fabrics of silk 

 and its raw silk. But I have heard that the original source of the 

 silk-worm is Jorjan and Tuberestan, whence it was brought long 

 ago to Merv. 



Eaw Silk is now exported from Merv rood to Tuberestan, also the 

 superior cotton called the Leyun cotton, and ready made sheets. 



Merv possesses several ancient traditionist musjeds. Merv rood 

 has two. Keshmehun, Hoormuz Kuruh, Seenuj, Khuzukh, Khuruk 

 Shooshukan have each one house of prayer. 



He eat. — This is the name of a city having various districts, 

 among its towns are Malun, Jusan, Serteyan, Oobuh, Marabad, 

 Pashtan, Korookh, Chesht, Esfezar, Udruskun, Growazan, Kooshuk, 

 Khorasanabad. 



Esfezar is the name of a district containing the four towns I have 

 mentioned. 



Herat is surrounded by walls, with plenty of water, and a large 

 population, it has also suburbs, and contains a fort and Jama Musjed, 

 but the Government house is outside the walls at a place called 

 Khorasanabad about one-third of a fursukh from the city on the 

 road to Pooshung lying to the westward. The houses are erected 

 from unbaked bricks, and each side of the city measures about half 

 a fursukh. 



The city has four gateways, that to the north on the Neeshapoor 

 road is called the Erak, that on the road to Bulkh is named Kep- 

 chak. The gateway leading to Seestan is known by the name of 

 Eeroozabad, while that leading to Grhoor the Khoshuk. The doors 

 are all of wood except the Erak which is covered with iron, at each 

 entrance is a bazar for the use of the inhabitants of the neighbour- 

 ing quarter of the city. Water runs through the towns and suburbs, 



