ASCENT TO THE MOUNTAINS. 
327 
mountain, green to its very summit, informed us of the corresponding 
change. Our tents were pitched upon a most beautiful and rich, 
though elevated pasturage, in the neighbourhood of numerous black 
tents of the wandering tribes, which at this season flock to this de¬ 
lightful region. The river of Ashtarek flowed close by us, in the 
same deep rocky bed; whilst, as far as the eye could reach over moun¬ 
tains and vallies that surrounded us, all was one continued carpet of 
verdure. This height is called Aheran^^ I suppose from the circum¬ 
stance of its being generally obscured by clouds. To the southward 
and eastward is the verdant mountain of Aligez, at the present season 
covered with snow, and remarkable from its being crowned by two 
peaks, not unlike the mountain of the Asses’ Ears in the Persian Gulf. 
In the east appears a long range of high mountains, that border the 
lake of Sivan, some parts of which are covered with snow. Aberan, 
during the three severest months of the winter, owing to its intense 
cold and to the depth of the snow, is impassable. It is the favourite 
Yeyldk^ or cold residence, of the Gourds and other wanderers; and they 
are seen in every part of it, their black tents from afar appearing con¬ 
spicuous on the green, surrounded by their numerous flocks of sheep 
and goats. 
To give an idea of the difference of climate between Ashtarek and 
our encampment at Aberan, it will be sufficient to say, that at the 
former place the thermometer, in the hottest part of the day stood at 95°, 
and at the latter at 77°. 
The next day after having crossed the Ashtarek river, about three 
miles from the encampment, we were met by a party of Cossaks headed 
by a Russian officer, and at two miles from the next stage, we crossed 
a small river, which is the boundary between the Russian and Persian 
territories. Close on the borders of this stream was a body of Russian 
infantry, drawn up in line, with a gun on one of its flanks. After all 
the necessary compliments of saluting, &c. had taken place, we pro- 
aber, in Persian, cloud. 
