'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.' [‎551] (642/905)

CHAP. XXI.]
KURDS OF SYRIA.
551
practise circumcision, neither do they fast or pray, but they
believe in the transmigration of souls; moreover, they divorce
on the slightest occasion; they drink wine, eat pork, and marry
a sister; none of which practices would be followed, if their
religion had been founded on that of Mahomet. Indeed, a
belief prevails, and on fair grounds, that the religious rites of
the Druses resemble those of the ancient Samaritans.
The remaining sections of the Syrian people, viz., Kurds, Dwellings of
Turkomans, and Turks, were probably connected with one theKurd8 "
another at a period not very remote. Some villages belonging
to the first are found on the slopes of the northern districts
of Lebanon, and now and then a few of the second on the ad
joining plains of the Bika; but the chief parts of both branches
are in the district of Aleppo. The dwellings of the Kurds
appear to hold a middle place between the tent and the better
kind of permanent habitation. One large apartment serves
for every purpose, a part being fitted as a stable, another ac
commodates the cattle, a third serves for the store of pro
vender, &c., and the fourth is appropriated to the family.
The villages are roughly constructed either with mud or the
worst kind of rubble masonry, and the houses in each vary in
number from fifteen to about forty; but, during the warm
season, tents are substituted for the houses, and are pitched
close to the village.
Amongst the people who inhabit some of the remote villages Their character
in the mountains, may still be found that fierce spirit and the
other unfavourable traits of character already given to the
Kurds (see above, pp. 125, 374) ; but in general those of Syria,
although exceedingly ignorant, have the redeeming points of a
peaceable and hospitable disposition.
As we have already seen, the majority of the Turkomans
are essentially nomadic, and remove from Asia Minor with
their flocks during the winter, using either circular booths or
small-sized tents; but certain branches of this people, such as
the Ryhanlu, the Jerid, and the Rishwans, do not quit the
plains of Syria, and they are in other respects more civilized.
They use a large black goat's-hair tent, which is supported by
several rows of short poles; that of the chief, who still retains