684 
DEPARTURE FROM PERSEPOLIS. 
the hills immediately behind the ruins, which, though rocky, 
assume rather gentle forms; but on following the chain of 
southern mountains as they curve round to the north-west, 
they rise into abrupt, bold, and singular shapes, some pointed, 
others with table summits, and a countless succession of jagged 
and rugged forms shooting up above and beyond them again, 
seeming like the barriers of the world. These terrific heights 
are connected westward with the great branch of the Bactiari 
mountains, amongst which lie the passes Alexander found so 
difficult to force, being not more bulwarked in rocks, than 
defended by a resolution unto death, of their brave tribes the 
Uxii. From the depths of these mountains rises the Araxes of 
the south, which, after traversing their valleys, and winding 
through the heart of ancient Persis, meets the Kur, or southern 
Cyrus ; and thence flowing onwards some farsangs, throws its aug¬ 
mented waters into the small salt lake Bactigan, at a short distance 
south-east of Shiraz. Some of the Persian writers, and amongst 
others Khondemir, preserve the name of the Kur to the united 
streams, till they are lost in the lake. But after-ages have 
given them a second immersion, by swallowing up both the 
classic titles of Araxes and Cyrus after their junction, in the 
Asiatic appellation Bund-Emir. About the year 1000, the 
Emir Azud-u-Doulah, vizier-governor of Persia under the caliphs 
of Bagdad, amongst other beneficial acts raised a dyke on the 
river near Persepolis, for the purpose of yielding water to 
fertilize the land. The new work was called Bund-Emir, the 
dyke of the emir, and thence the river itself gradually acquired 
the same designation. 
July 1st, 1818. This day I bade adieu to Persepolis, and to 
a little band of hospitable Eelauts, whom I left encamped on the 
