'MILITARY REPORT ON PERSIA. VOLUME IV, PART I.' [‎22v] (49/168)

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to the west of Sardfiieh, and after a generally south
easterly course across JTruft and Rudbar mingles its waters
with those of the Bampur river in the Jaz IJdurian Hamun.
It does not possess a perennial flow of water throughout
its course, and running water is said to exist permanently
only as far south as Bijnabad, though it can always be
obtained by digging IQ to 15 feet below its bed. It
is, however, liable to sudden floods, and in places becomes
on these occasions as much as one mile broad. Its bottom
and banks are of sffnd.
Part of the Lut desert lies within the limits of Kerman.
Though impassable for anything but the smallest body of
troops, it is feasible for caravans and there is more water
than was formerly supposed. The term Lut is a general
term for wastes in this part of the country, but dil'feis
from kdvir, as it may have sand interspersed over its
surface, whereas kdvir never has; also the lut desert is
generally sprinkle^ on the borders at any rate with Thorny
shrubs which afford grazing for camels. The interior of
the desert is absolutely devoid of all signs of animal or
vegetable life.
The Jaz Murian Hamun lies between Bampur and
Khaim. As shown on most maps the extent is misleading.
The entire ground between Kalanzau on the east and
Zeh Kaliit on the west, is liable to inundation during the
rains. Between these two spots is the actual limit of the
swamps, making it some 50 miles by 20. There are said
to be two separate swamps, called Milan and Jihum. Jaz
Murian is a sweet-water lake, in which water remains
permanently only between Kalanzau and Gumbaz. In
the hot weather the swamp is mostly dried up.
The chief towns of Kerman are:—
Kerman, elevation 5,680 feet, the capital of the province;
is mainly surrounded by desert, but being at the junction
of many trade routes the town is important as a trade
centre. It is surrounded by a clay wall 30 feet high
wldch is in a good state of repair with a ditch 40 feet
wiue and 10 feet deep forming an irregular hexagon,