DEMAWEND. 
355 
The mountain of Demawend, so conspicuous every where else, is 
not seen from the town to which it gives its name. Upon this, the 
Persians, who are great punsters, say, on arriving at the town and 
looking for the mountain.^—Koo Demawend? which has the double 
meaning of where is Demawend ? or Demawend the mountain. It is 
seen from the high road that passes through the plain below, and there 
bears N. 15° W. The natives assert that it sometimes emits smoke ; 
and the circumstance of sulphur* being found in small craters near its 
base, may perhaps lead to the conclusion, that the cone is the crater of 
a volcano. Very severe earthquakes are sometimes felt at Demawend. 
We had a strong shock whilst residing there in June, and nine years 
ago they were so violent and repeated, that many villages in Mazanderan 
were totally destroyed, and all the country around thrown into a 
great state of alarm. Snow lies upon the mountain all the year round, 
but only in large single patches, parts of its extreme summit being 
totally uncovered. It does not look so high as Ararat, although its cone 
is much more abrupt, nor does it in any manner rest upon so extensive 
a base, f None of the modern Persians appear to have ascended to the 
top ; and they assert that the attempt is hopeless. Those who seek for 
sulphur, which is found at the highest accessible point, go through a 
course of training previous to the undertaking, and fortify themselves by 
eating much of garlick and onions. 
At about five miles in direct distance from Demawend, is a lake, 
apparently formed by the waters of melted snow, which have accumulated 
in a valley without an outlet:):: it is situated at a considerable height 
above the town of Demawend, in the bosom of some very craggy moun- 
* Coal also is found on the mountain. The blacksmiths in the town make use of that 
which they find at the surface of the ground. 
f Hanway, as he was sailing in the Caspian from Langerood to Asterabad, says, “ We were 
four days in sight of the great mountain of Demaon, which is said to be thirty leagues in¬ 
land. At a distance of four or five leagues fi-om the shore, we could distinguish it very plain, 
rising in form of a pyramid.”—Vol. 1. chap. xxv. p. 109. 
See the observations and questions of Michaelis upon this subject. 
z z 2 
