APPENDIX. 
443 
the road is tolerable to Desmaun, from whence Ourdabad bears N. 25’’ W. 
Ilandaghi N. 35’ W. and is 12 miles distant. For the first nine miles the road 
which is good, leads through sand-hills ; we then crossed the Araxes, Ourdabad 
being three miles distant. This place is situated close under the range of 
mountains which branch out to the northward and bound the extensive plains of 
Nakhjuwan and Erivan. It is one of the most beautiful spots I ever beheld, —■ 
the climate is delightful and every fruit is found in the greatest perfection. The 
nook of the mountain in which it is situated, has a fine stream running through 
it; the gardens extend for four miles all around; its houses are in general well 
built of stone, and 1500 families are said to form its population. The Gover¬ 
nor of the district of Nakhjuwan, in general resides here. - Near to Ourdabad, 
the principal places are two large Armenian villages, situated in every respect 
like it, which contain about 200 families and possess twelve churches and 
convents. 
“ From Ourdabad we travelled over a very stony plain in a direction of N.80° W. 
with the Araxes on our left for three miles, then six on a bearing of west to 
Asser, a village with a small fort on an insulated rock in the centre of a 
small plain; there are five other villages near it, and the Araxes is two 
miles distant. This is in the district of Azed. The strong hill-fort of 
Alanjak bears N. 10° W. 12 miles distant from Asser, and is situated on the top 
of a rock with only one road up : it is celebrated for having stood a siege of 
seven years against Tamerlane. 
“ From Asser there are two roads to Nakhjuwan, the shortest, which is difficult 
of access, leads through the mountains. The lower road continues for 14 miles 
on a direction of N. 80° W. until it joins the Tabriz high road j it then turns 
N. 15° W. for six miles, and Nakhjuwan bears N. 38° W. distant ten miles : the 
pass of Gerger bearing south.” 
