5 28 
TRANSPARENT MARBLE. 
hill, and over the level of its valley, for a considerable way. 
When sought for in its perfectly consolidated state, it is found 
some few feet beneath the crust, and composed of thin layers, 
from which the workmen cut long and wide slabs, about ten or 
twelve inches in thickness. These are afterwards shaped into 
skirting decorations for the saloons of the opulent, bordering 
the room all round, just above the floor. When cut into very 
thin sheets, this marble, having the effect of ground glass, is 
used for the windows of baths, or any other places where light 
is required, without the possibility of outward observation. 
Pieces of it are also cut into small tablets for tomb-stones, to 
be impressed with words from the Koran. 
From nearly the same spot, I had an extensive view of the 
Lake of Ooroumia. Its waters now appeared of the deepest 
blue, and most singularly hemmed in by a broad belt of salt, 
looking at a distance like a violent surf. One small island, and 
a few masses of barren rock, are all, excepting the great wooded 
and mountain mass of Shaliy, that break its surface. 
Still proceeding on our old route over the hills, through the 
lower plain, and halting the second night at Adjebeshir, we got 
unto new ground on the third day, (the 24th of the month,) 
and marching along the flat country in a course south-west, in 
three hours reached the town of Binaub. It consists of about 
700 houses, is walled and towered, and surrounded by gardens 
abundant in fine grapes. The vicinity is irrigated from deep 
wells, the waters of which are raised by bullocks or buffaloes. 
In our way to this menzil we passed a large encampment of 
Ivara-Shee, (or black race,) the name given to Gipseys in Persia. 
The women came out in vast numbers, crowding about us, to 
beg; and cunningly implying, that a little touch of their palmistry 
