temperate zones, growing in the utmost perfection. The general character of these mountains is, nevertheless, bleak and rugged, and several of the summits attain a great elevation above the sea, being covered with perpetual snow.

Continuing our course to the eastward, the beautiful peaks of the Greater and Lesser Ararat burst upon our view. The whole country in this vicinity, is full of traditionary stories relative to Noah's ark and the Deluge; and the Armenians, as soon as they see Ararat, kiss the earth, and repeat certain prayers. They call it "the Mountain of the Ark;" and the Persians designate it as "the Mountain of Noah." The height of this imposing and snow-capped mountain is 17,260 feet above the level of the sea. Mr. Hamilton, who visited this spot in June, 1836, says, "It is impossible to describe the effect produced by the first view of this stupendous mountain, rising in majestic and solitary grandeur, far above the surrounding hills and mountains. The morning was beautifully clear, the sun had just risen, and not a cloud, or particle of vapour, obscured its striking outline and it was impossible to look on this mountain, so interestingly connected with the early history of the human race, without mingled feelings of awe and wonder." The Greater Ararat is covered with perpetual snow, but the Lesser Ararat loses its icy covering in summer. Mount Ararat is considered to be of volcanic formation; indeed, the whole country appears to rest on a basaltic base.

Mount Sevellan, the height of which is 13,000 feet above the sea, is the most elevated summit in this district next to Ararat; and like that, seems to consist of the cone of an extinct volcano, being supposed to have been more recently in a state of activity, than any other in this territory.

The whole of the region we have now been considering is remarkable for the abundance of fruit-trees which grow in its plains and valleys; indeed, the country on the western banks of the Caspian, is supposed to have formed the original habitation of most of our choicer fruits; and it is from hence that the apricot (fig. 62), has obtained its

plains; its great elevation above the sea, rendering the climate cold, and in some parts even severe, and therefore totally unfavourable for the growth of plants of warmer regions. Thus, at Erz-rúm, the ground is seldom free from ice and snow until the middle of April, and snow sometimes falls in the month of June.

The grand central line is next continued in the range of mountains, which extends along the western shores of the Caspian Sea, forming the boundary of the vast plains of Bucharia, and which is historically famous for containing the Bactrian, Parthian, Hyrcanian, and Caspian mountain passes; these ranges being now known as the Elburz, or Elburj, and Parapomisan Mountains. The summits of the Elburj do not generally exceed 7000 feet, but the loftiest peak, Mount Demavend, a volcanic cone, is 14,700 feet above the level of the sea. 'The Parapomisan range does not appear to present any very elevated summits, but gradually blends in with the vast mountain mass of the Hindoo Koosh, or Hindoo Koh; the latter being an extensive Alpine region, which we may consider as a knot in our grand central axis; for, from that point, diverge all the vast mountain ranges of Asia. But since the Hindoo Koosh, as its name indicates, may be considered as belonging to the Indian mountain system, it will be desirable before proceeding to any description of its features, to retrace our steps, and turn our attention to the principal ranges, diverging from that portion of the central line which extends from the borders of Armenia, to those of Hindostan.

The most remarkable of these, if indeed it can be considered as connected with our central line, is the lofty and extensive range of Caucasus. The central portion of these mountains is entirely composed of porphyry, and is described as consisting of a plateau, 8000 or 10,000 feet above the sea, which is rent in every direction by deep and narrow valleys, and traversed cross-ways by a ridge of rugged and picturesque rocky eminences, the summits of which are covered with perpetual snow. The highest point is Mount Elbourz,