286 
LAKE OF SHAHEE. 
The present royal family of Persia, whose Princes do not spend large 
sums in the construction of public buildings, have not carried away 
much of the stone ; but some immense slabs which were cut by Nadir 
Shah, and now lie neglected amongst innumerable fragments, show the 
objects which He had in view. So much is this stone looked upon as an 
article of luxury, that none but the King, his sons, and persons privileged 
by special firman are permitted to excavate; and such is the ascendancy 
of pride over avarice, that the scheme of farming it to the highest bidder 
does not seem to have ever come within the calculations of its present 
possessors. 
A good direction to the ponds is a peak in the adjacent mountains, 
immediately under which they are situated. They bear from the village 
of Shirameen N. 30 W., and are distant about two miles from the border 
of the lake. 
From our camp at Shirameen, we had an extensive view of the lake, 
which is bounded on the north by mountains. Near it are situated 
the town of Salmas, and the productive district of Shebester. The plain 
of Tabriz, the salt desert, with the hills and vallies of Uzkoh inclose 
it to the east, whilst a sublime range of snowy mountains of the Cour- 
distan girds it to the west, and it is terminated to the south by 
Maragha, its table lands, and its extensive pastures. It is most com¬ 
monly known by the name of Deria Shahee, or the Koyal Sea, on 
account of the peninsula of that name, that extends itself within it, and 
is said to be twelve fursungs in circumference. 
It is also called Deria Maragha, and Deria Oroumieh, from the two large 
towns of that name, that are situated in its neighbourhood, and frequently 
only Deriacheh, or the Little Sea. According to Mirkhond, in his Ajaih al 
balladan, it was included within the limits of Armenia, being called by 
him Deria Armenistan. Eight fursungs, or about 280 miles, are men¬ 
tioned as its circumference j and from all we can learn, it is generally 
very shallow, its greatest depth not being more than three or four zer or 
cubits, and in some places scarcely one. We got these particulars from 
a man who had been sent by the Governor of Maragha to the Ambassa- 
