'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎64] (111/905)

64 FEATURES, VARIETIES OF CLIMATE. [CHAP. IV.
formed one navigable inlet into the heart of the great empire
just mentioned; whilst the Red Sea afforded another, at a
considerable distance westward. The latter terminates with
the Gulfs of Suez and Akabah at the northern, and the
Straits of Bab-el-mandeb at the southern extremity; whilst
the well known Straits of Hormuzd mark the entrance of
the former, and its upper, or north-western extremity is
formed by the estuary of the Euphrates. Through the whole
of the territory stretching from this river eastward to the
valley of the Indus, and westward to that of the Nile, a
remarkable similarity prevails in the geographical features.
General On glancing at the most striking objects, the mountains,
the mountains, it will be remarked, that several great branches quit the
elevated plateau about the springs of the Euphrates, Tigris,
&c., and take different directions; but chiefly eastward, south
ward, and westward, from the summit of Ararat. Two of
these, the Zagros and Elburz, gradually diverge, in distinct
lines, as far as the eastern limits of ancient Persia; whilst the
no less striking arms of the Taurus proceed to the opposite
extremities, and preserve the same bold features, as they
spread their numerous ramifications over Asia Minor, Syria,
northern Mesopotamia, and Arabia. Owing to the deficiency
of large rivers, and the scarcity of running streams, cultivated
spots are rare; whilst dry, untenanted valleys, extensive plains,
and gigantic plateaux, broken by rugged mountains, form the
prevailing characteristics of the countries under consideration.
Temperature In a wide expanse of territory, stretching, with various
elevations, at least 25° from north to south, such extremes
may be looked for as will bear out the remarkable description
of the younger Cyrus. 1 Thus, the northern and central por
tions of the plateaux of Iran and Arabia, as well as a great
part of Asia Minor, enjoy a temperate climate; whilst an
intense cold prevails in the northern parts of Afghanistan,
in nearly the whole of Kurdistan, and on the elevated moun
tain ranges and high valleys on both sides of Ararat. Yet
1 " In the dominions of my father," said the Prince, " people perish with
cold at the one extremity, whilst they are suffocated with heat at the other."—
Xenophon's Anabasis, Book I., pp. 67, 68. Ed. Hutch. USS.