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the change was only from desert plains to barren hills.

This chain of mountains, which formerly separated the empires of Assyria and Media, was called Mount Zagros, and, distinctly marking the limits of these once splendid rivals, seemed to form a kind of neutral barrier between them. The chain, commencing in Armenia, and extending to the Persian Gulf, may still be considered as fixing the boundaries of the same countries, distinguished in modern language as Arabian and Persian Irak.

It will doubtless be remembered, that the mountains of Curdistan have, from time immemorial, been inhabited by wandering tribes, who, though formerly in the immediate vicinity of Media and Assyria, led, unawed by their civilized neighbours, a lawless, predatory life. This people, who, beyond a doubt, formed one of the tribes of Ishmael, are mentioned as the Carduchi by Xenophon, who had good reason to remember them, from the reception they

gave him and the ten thousand Greeks, after the memorable battle of Canaxa. In the more modern appellation of Coords, they have, during a lapse of ages, been always observed to adhere to the predatory habits of their progenitors, whenever their turbulent spirit brought them forward in the page of history. The Emperor Saladin, himself a Coord, from his contest with our forefathers in the chivalrous days of the Crusades, has left behind him a name that must be familiar to every one.

CARAVANSERAI.

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CHAPTER XIII.

Ruin at Baradan-Gaur the City of Magicians-Ancient Ruins Scriptural Illustrations-Khanaki-Our Janizary-Calor, a tribe of Banditti-Annoyances of the Journey-The Shurgee or Siroc Wind-Ruins of Kisra Shereen-We are visited by Robbers-Dangerous Adventure.

WE continued our march for about five miles over a succession of eminences, with rounded flattened tops, composed of limestone shingles. The road was very rugged, and mostly over a succession of deep narrow ruts formed by the passage of cattle. On arriving at the summit of this mountain, we came in sight of an extensive plain; and, at what appeared the distance of two miles, we saw the caravanserai of Khizil Rubaut. The weather

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KHIZIL RUBAUT.

being intensely hot, we comforted ourselves with the hope of soon reaching our destination; but we were wofully disappointed in finding, that instead of two, we had to traverse a tract of nine miles. The plain which we now entered, was rich, and for the most part well cultivated. After a march of three hours we arrived at Khizil Rubaut, completely worn out with the heat and closeness of the atmosphere.

Our tents were pitched to the north of the town. Khizil Rubaut, in common with its neighbours, has suffered from the vindictive spirits of its Coordish enemies. A body of the Pasha's troops were stationed here, and gave to it a less desolate appearance than the other town through which we passed.

The valley abounds in remains of ancient buildings, and proves how populous this country must have been in times of old. To the south-west of Khizil Rubaut are some extensive ruins, possibly the site of the ancient Celonæ, a town said to be situated near Mount Zagros,

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through which the army of Xerxes marched on its road from Susa to Critalis in Cappadocia, the general rendezvous of that monarch preparatory to his intended invasion of Greece.

At two hours' journey, near a small village called Baradan, is a large mound. Three quarters of a mile to the east-north-east, were the ruins of the ancient City of Gaur, called, in the Arabian Nights, the City of Enchanters. Three miles to the north-west are the ruins of another ancient town, said to be of very great

extent.

We were so much fatigued with the heat of our march, and our visit to the excavations, that we felt no inclination to undertake any distant excursion; we therefore confined our examination to some old water-mills about a mile from our tents, to which we walked in the evening. The channel supplying water was broken down and dry. Respecting the machinery, we could only judge by the disposition of the masonry, that the water had been supplied