"تقرير عسكري عن جنوب غرب بلاد فارس، يتضمن أقاليم خوزستان (عربستان)، لورستان، وجزءًا من فارس" [‎٣‎٣‎٦] (٤٦٦/٣٨٣)

336
wide, and in flood would be at least 6 feet deep. It is a rapid stream, and even
now, when only 45 yards wide, is only fordable by strong men, being* up to the
horses^ girths. In spring it would be a nasty flood to pass. Fine cover of
tamarisk and oleander marks its course, whilst beyond palm groves, villages,
and cultivated ground present an unwonted scene of prosperity and security
for this part of Persia. Wild cabbage is the ordinary weed of the plain.
The Governor of Behbahan, the " Nasir-ul-Mulk/' welcomed us most
kindly through his young commandant of horse, a Shirazi gentleman, who
spoke a little English. We were comfortably housed in a garden worthy of
Sluraz itself. However, palriis, which are here plentiful, are great rarities in
the capital of Fars. The Nasir-ul-Mulk is fond of gardening and building;
the narcissuses are in full bloom ; castor oil plants, orange trees, and a few
sickly plantains, with jessamine in bloom, are amongst the rarities.
The town has practically no walls; the population is between four and
five thousand; it seems thinly peopled and tumble-down, yet delightfully
clean compared with Dizful and Shustar. The water-supply is poor; water
has'to be stored in ab-umbars or subterranean chambers for summer use.
There is a regiment of infantry and a few guns here.
December 9th. —We halted and called on the Governor.
December 10th, —The Nasir-u1-Mulk came in person to bid us goodbye.
He gave us a large escort, and sent some treasure to Shiraz in our company
(see page 306).
For road to Isfahan, see Road Heport No. 4.
Stage 7, December HtJi. —Our road goes east across the plain of Behbahan,
i, ^ , and into the low hills that divide the basin of the
MdrivCT 15 miles Easy Khairal.ad nver from that of the Jarrahi. We camp
road with slight ascent near the river, which is 80 yards wide and easily ford-
east with a little south. a ble, though in spring it would be a formidable obstacle)
being rapid with a stony bed. Good francolin shooting here, and lions aie
occasionally found. No supplies obtainable. On the banks of the river is a
thick cover of willow and tamarisk, &c.
Stage 8, Decemher i^/X—From Kbairabad river to Dugnmbazan, direction
w ^ , south by east, the road commences well, gradually
Dugumbazdn,*27^milesj ascends to the plain of Lisliter, 4 miles wide by 10
south by east. miles long, a grand place for pasturing mares. Jiven at
* The two domes. this season there is grass, and the evergreen kuh-nars
give shade, whilst the Shams-al-Arab stream, which bounds it on the south
east, supplies good water. The above-named stream is small except in time
of flood. After crossing it we enter rounded gypsum hills, and are amongst ^
them for 4 miles of road, after which, crossing the water parting between ^
Shams-al-Arab and the Dugumbazan steam (altitude 2,480 feet), the road
becomes level with hills on either side; that of Shah-Ru on the right fiont is
remarkable in shape. The mountain on the left, marked on the map as I u i-
i-Huma, but known as Kuh-i-Dil, must be at least 10,000 feet in height, and
looks well from the plain on which Dugumbazan stands. They say the stream
from this plain is lost in a marsh. The water from the snows of Kuh-i- i
mostly goes down the Shams-al-Arab {seepage 46). At Dugumbazan is a
ruined caravanserai and a small village, the first we have seen since Behba an.
It possesses a much ruined fort with two towers. ^ During the whole marc
fuel was plentiful; but water scarce. Lions are said to be numerous m e
vicinity.