258 
PLAIN OF OUJAN. 
other birds. The atmosphere is perfectly safe at the entrance of 
the cavern, and indeed to a considerable distance inward. But 
should curiosity prompt a traveller to pass a particular stone, 
which is set up as a warning, the change in the air becomes so 
instantaneous, as to destroy the trespasser with the first breath 
he draws. The experiment has been frequently tried by Euro¬ 
pean travellers, on sheep, dogs, and other animals, and the 
threatened effect has never failed. That the deadly exhalation 
does not rise high in the cavern, is proved by the birds, which 
are its inhabitants, flying backwards and forwards over the inter¬ 
dicted spot, without suffering the consequences that might have 
been anticipated. 
Having journeyed several hours through these narrow moun¬ 
tain-labyrinths, we gradually advanced into an open country; 
but limited, though at a great distance, with the usual gigantic 
boundaries. It is called the Plain of Oujan, and being one of 
the certain halting-places t>f the Prince Royal, between his own 
capital and that of the empire, about six years ago he caused a 
commodious palace to be built here, for the convenience of himself 
and his family. The free air of the plain, and the beauty of its cir¬ 
cumjacent scenery, induced him to fix particularly on this spot, 
which he often makes his residence during the summer months. 
When PI is Royal Plighness halted there, I proceeded with one 
of the European gentlemen in his service, to Kara-Baba, a village 
finely situated on the side of the hills. We had travelled this 
day, ten hours, a distance of nine farsangs. I found my quarters 
very good; but had they consisted of little more than bare walls, 
I should have experienced no want; for the Prince lost no time 
in sending whatever he thought it possible I might require ; and 
he “ seasoned the bounteous attention,” with a gracious message 
