266 
MOUNTAINS OF KOFLAN-KOU. 
Asiatic landscape, formed the finest characteristic pictures, 
though in winter scenes, that could be imagined for the illus¬ 
tration of ancient or modern eastern story. 
In this seemingly desultory, though in fact well-understood 
way of proceeding, (for no one really strayed from the column of 
march,) we gradually approached the foot of the chain of moun¬ 
tains at the head of the valley, which here separate the province 
of Azerbijan from Irak, once so considerable a part of the fa¬ 
mous kingdom of Media. These mountains, as I have mentioned 
before, are called the Koflan-Kou. They are of very stupendous 
altitude ; and are a branch of the sublime range which belongs 
to Kurdistan. Besides the grandeur of their form, which well 
accords with the character of a country whose ancient laws, like 
these everlasting ramparts, were immoveable, the varied hue of 
their rocks gives a magnificence to the scene, admirably adapted 
to the recollections of a man, on entering the more particular 
dominions of the great Cyrus. In one branch of these mountains, 
which is called that of Koolabose, are the royal iron, copper, and 
lead mines; a treasure of riches, which, if properly worked, 
would fill the coffers of the Persian monarch to overflowing. 
The road up the side of the mountain which closes the long 
valley of Mianna, was steep, winding, intricate, and very dan¬ 
gerous, from the slipperiness of the ice ; which, from that cir¬ 
cumstance, is nearly impassable in these precipitous regions. 
About mid-way of the ascent, the ruins of an ancient and noble 
fortress presented themselves. Chardin conjectures it to have 
been a stronghold of Artaxerxes alias Ardashir. Its situation in 
the pass, sufficiently shows the use to which it was designed; 
and this commanding station, with the peculiar style of the for¬ 
midable remains, leave no doubt in my mind, that it was an 
