ISPAHAN TO TEHERAN. 
179 
along the plain in the same course as on the preceding day. On our 
left were mountains, and on our right was the plain bounded only by 
the horizon, and constituting indeed the commencement of the great 
Salt Desert of Persia, which, according to the people of the country, 
extends even to the confines of Usbeck Tartary. The principal part of 
that over which we passed was a soil strongly impregnated with salt, 
which, after rain or snow, renders the roads difficult and dangerous. 
The weather was favourable during our passage, and we crossed with¬ 
out any inconvenience (except that of a heavy mud) a part of the 
plain dreaded by caravans and travellers in winter journies. We tra¬ 
versed the plain for ten miles, and then turned N. 30 W. among the 
mountains. As we proceeded, we observed their strata disposed in 
singular directions, and forming very varied angles with the horizon. 
Nature, in some places, amid the stupendous masses of rock which 
surrounded us, seemed to have finished her operations by small conical 
mounds, increasing by regular gradations as they approached the mo¬ 
ther mountain. Every thing looked as if it were newly created, and 
only wanted the art and industry of man to rub off its first rude 
surface. 
At about eleven miles from Nasserabad stands a caravanserai called 
Sin Sin, erected by the present King. It is a strong but vulgar build¬ 
ing, when compared with the elegant structures of the reign of Shah 
Abbas. The rude stones and plaster with which it is constructed, 
are covered with a coat of white wash, which, at a distance indeed 
gives it a magnificent appearance. Near this were the ruins of a 
village. Still further, on the right of the road, are more ruins, which, 
according to my informer, were those of a town called Delinar. A 
second caravanserai of the same materials as that of Sin Sin, is situated 
at the distance of seven miles. Next is Passangoor, which is merely 
another caravanserai in the plain, and distant twelve miles; at three 
miles distant further is Langarood, which is remarkable for some old 
pinasters standing about it, and a garden of some extent. Erom Lan¬ 
garood to Koom is ten miles more. We reached Room very late and 
A A 2 
