AHMED KHAN. 293 
and the translator of the life of Jertghiz (probably from the same source) 
confirms that observation. 
At about a fursung distant, in the mountains, on a bearing of S. 12° W. 
are several mineral springs worthy of attention. They issue from the 
earth with different degrees of force, close on the borders of a stream 
flowing near to a deserted village, called Chai bagh, or the river garden. 
The most remarkable of them are two, close to each other, one cold 
and the other tepid. On the opposite side of the river, is another 
which gushes from the rock with unequal force, sometimes suddenly 
spurting out with violence, at others only trickling a few drops. The 
waters of these springs are a strong chalybeate, and of a most nauseous 
taste. They are unknown to the generality of the people of the coun¬ 
try, although their existence is marked by Mirkond in the Ajaih al 
haladan. Another spring of the same nature rises closer to the town 
at a place called Babagerger, but the water which flows from it is more 
copious than that of all the other springs combined. It issues from the 
earth in bubbles, and falls into a basin about fifteen feet in diameter. 
The volume of water which it emits would be sufficient to form a large 
stream, but as fast as it flows out of the basin it concretes and petrifies; 
a quality frequently found in the mineral waters in which this region 
abounds. The natives bathe in the basin of Babagerger, which they 
hold good for cutaneous disorders. 
The day after our arrival at Maragha the Ambassador was visited by 
Ahmed Khan, who had quitted his expedition against the Gourds to 
to perform the offices of hospitality to his guest. This Chief is one of 
those personages frequently met with in the East, who realize and 
illustrate many of the facts recorded in holy writ of the lives and 
habits of the Patriarchs. Like Isaac, he had possession of flocks, and 
possession of herds, and great store of servants. Genesis, xxiv. 14. His 
manners and appearance are those of Jacob, a plain man d'welling in 
tents, id. xxv. 27. Although verging to fourscore and ten, he is the pic¬ 
ture of health and activity. His beard is quite white, and his dress is 
scarcely superior to that of his own shepherds. His reputation however 
