'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.' [‎236] (301/905)

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Imports.
Means of
transport
deficient.
Routes of the
caravans.
236
OBJECTS OF INDUSTRY.
[CHAP. XI.
In addition to objects of the first necessity, such as shoes,
clothes, carpenters and smiths' work, silk, woollen, and
cotton goods, carpets, felts, cutlery, jewellery, china, earthen
ware and copper utensils, are prepared by the people, who
have thus not only the means of carrying on an internal trade,
but likewise of making exports. Copper, silver, and gold, are
coined in the mints of Shiraz and Teheran.
The imports most in demand are lambskins for caps. Cash
mere shawls, Indian and British muslins, calicoes and stuffs;
spices, sugar-candy, fine cloths, opium, henna, indigo, tea, fine
china and Nankin; together with muskets, Russian or Ger
man hardware, cutlery, cloths, needles, looking-glasses,
beads, &c.
But the greatest impediments to an exchange of commodi
ties exist in the country, on account of the deficiency of sea
ports, rivers, canals, roads, and wheel carriages; for the only
ports are Abu-Shehr, Mohammarah, and Recht; and from
these, goods must necessarily be transported on the backs of
animals, alternately across the wide-spreading saline tracts,
and the arid mountain-ridges which separate the cities and
cultivated districts from each other. The nature of the cli
mate limits the time of travelling to the autumn and spring,
when the caravans are exposed either to attacks by robbers in
passing by the routes of the desert, or to the vexatious imports
levied in the towns. But the ordinary wants of man, and
the love of gain, triumph over all these impediments ; and
caravans have in all ages traversed the steppes of Persia and
Central Asia, notwithstanding the changes those countries
have undergone from wars, tumults, conquests, and revo
lutions.
The great caravan lines are in five directions. The first
passes westward from Central Persia towards Baghdad Meso-
potamia, Syria, and Asia Minor. The second rnns north
ward through Erz Rum, and into Europe by the way of
Constantinople. The third goes also to Europe by Tiflis.
the fourth runs eastward to Bokhara and China. And
finally, a fifth proceeds to India by two distinct lines, which
unite at Herat. One of these routes comes to this town from