TABRIZ TO ARZ-ROUM. 
317 
road, I could not learn the names of the villages in various parts. At 
two hours, (seven miles,) from Deli-baba , and about a mile from the 
road, is Batman Kieu , situated in the bosom of a valley delightfully 
watered and cultivated. The houses of Amra Kiev , our resting place, 
are built with the fir tree, and their roofs are formed by rafters of 
wood, geometrically placed, which are afterwards covered with earth, 
and constitute a strong dome. This is a better construction than any 
that we had lately observed. Small two-wheeled carts, to which oxen 
are yoked, are used here by the peasantry. The sheep are very fine, 
with large tails and good wool. 
14th. We went from Amra Kieu , due West towards Alwar, ten miles. 
Three miles after quitting Amra Kieu , Ave came to the banks of the 
Araxes ; which enters the plain from the mountains near Yaghan , a large 
village situated about three miles from the road. The stream flows 
here from N. 65 E. to S. 30 W. It takes its rise in the MahalS of 
Khunus ; and where it issues from the ground is called Bin Gieul , or 
a thousand springs. In its course it closely follows the mountains which 
we had left at the extremity of the plain. Little irrigation is drawn 
from it through the neighbouring territory. We crossed it over a very 
well-built stone bridge of seven arches; by the measurement of which 
the river Avas about one hundred and sixty paces in breadth. Just 
at this point a stream Aoavs into it from the Westward, taking its 
course close to Hassan Caleb. Immediately on passing the bridge 
Ave came to a village called Kupre Kieu, and then continued on a 
fine road, and through a delightful plain strewed with villages, distant 
in general two or three miles from each other. The principal of these 
are Arsunjeh, on the left, and Gurnee and Mia gen , on the right of the 
road. All the plain Avas Avell cultivated; and the peasants Avere here 
soAving their corn. We passed by Hassan CaUh, a large town situated 
around a hill; on the summit is an old fortification, the curious walls of 
which are chequered with the embrasures of former times. We crossed 
the stream by the town, over a bridge of tAvo arches. Close to the 
