192 
BUFFALOES. 
was clear, the skj cloudless; so that the whole panorama of 
mountains was visible; and with a beauty, and a splendour, 
which spread them in one part with the softest roseate hues, 
in others flooded them with gold, or hung over their aerial 
brows a glittering veil of silver. As the sun set, or the sun rose, 
all this mighty magic of ethereal colours, passed on or off in 
his train. But in the midst of every change, still Ararat stood 
alone, unparalleled in majesty, and robed in every light of 
heaven. Absolute winter does not take place here till January, 
and then it is not uncommon to have the cold from 16 to 18 
degrees of Reaumur. Little snow falls on the plain. The rainy 
season follows in the months of March and April, and imme¬ 
diately after, comes the summer, rich, balmy, and serene; the 
heat of which, though intense during some of its months, is never 
so oppressive as at Erivan. 
Here, for the first time, I saw a caravan of camels. They 
were crossing the plain, and their form and groups, with their 
bearded drivers, being so peculiar to Asia, completed the 
picture to my eye. There was nothing in view that could 
remind me of Europe, excepting the sublime mount itself, 
which recalled the scenes where I had first read of its existence, 
and imbibed a veneration for its name. The peasantry of the 
plain, use buffaloes for all the purposes of agriculture to which 
we apply the steer or the horse. They are of a larger species 
than those of Georgia, very patient of toil, and strong in its 
exercise. Towards sun-set, while I was standing in the gate of 
the monastery, I had an opportunity of observing the care that 
is taken of these useful animals, by being spectator to the 
operation of washing them. These purifications prevent a 
cutaneous disease, to which the creature when neglected is 
