'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.' [‎152] (207/905)

152 BAMBAK-SHURAGEL AND BORTCHALIN. [CHAP. VII.
Their climate, A mountainous tract prevails towards the south-west of
each of these districts, and there are plains towards the
opposite quarter. The climate in winter is mild, and in
summer moderate. The soil is good, and the country is well
watered. There are some mineral springs in each district,
and copper mines have been recently discovered in Kazakh.
The timber in both attains a large size; and vegetable pro
ducts, as well as animals, are abundant. The two circles of
Bambak-Shuragel and Bortchalin lie between Kazakh and
Kars. The former extends southward, from Bortchalin to
the district of Erivan, and has a diversified surface.
sh^cTei and Bambak, the central portion, contains about 709 square
miles, and consists of a valley 23 miles long, inclosed by two
chains of mountains. Shuragel lies southward of these
chains, and has about 423 miles of surface, which consists of
plains, with mountains at intervals ; and northward is the
plain of Lory, which is surrounded on all sides by mountains,
and contains 1650 square miles. The soil, climate, and pro
ducts vary considerably; and the inhabitants consist of 2008
Tartars and Greeks, with 28,668 Armenians, of whom 21,207
were transported from Erz-Rum and its vicinity after the
Turkish war of 1829. 1 In the territory there is but one
town, Ghoumry, which is in the central district of Shuragel,
on the banks of the Arpah-chai, and contains 503 houses. 2
Soil, climate, Bortchalin contains 2640 square miles; it lies between
Bortchalin. Kazakh, Bambak, and Kars, and has, to the north, the
districts of Tiflis and Gori. The northern and western por
tions, with part of the southern, are covered with mountains
branching from Ararat. Towards the eastern side there is
an extensive plain, and elsewhere there are others of small
size; there are, besides, several small valleys. It is watered
by the Kur, the Khram, the Alghete, and other streams;
it contains, also, a great many lakes full of fish. In general
the soil of the district is good, but the climate varies, and
fever prevails in the lower parts of the country. The moun
tains to the north and west are covered with forests ; and
1 Aperqu, &c., Tome II., pp. 293 to 306.
2 Ibid.