me with sword and pistol as if in the act of assaulting, but reining in their steeds when within a yard of my horse's head. They were all lively cheerful men, and were pleased with the novelty of having a Frangi, dressed in his national costume, a guest in their tents. They seemed passionately fond of their horses, many of whom (the mares) were followed by colts and foals thrown within the previous two years. The neighing and frolics of these scions added considerably to the mirth of the scene.

The Chab country is famous for its breed of horses. I have seen in India many fine specimens of the Nedjd breed, but I do not think they are either as large or as powerful as the Khuzistan horse. By far the greater number are grey, and like the Turcoman horse capable of sustaining great fatigue. The breeders do not appear anxious about their exportation, in view to commercial profit; for when I told one of the escort that I was sure he would get two thousand rupees at least for his charger, he answered "I would not sell him for ten thousand.”

May 30.-I left Dere Mullah this morn

JOURNEY TO ZEITOON.

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ing accompanied by the sheikh, his vizier, and a small body of tofungees to proceed to Zeitoon. It was deemed necessary to have the guard, and to take rather a circuitous route, because at this juncture the Chabeans were at issue with the Begler-Beg or Prince of Bebuhan, and would run the risk of a skirmish if they encountered any of his troops. Zeitoon lies to the east of Dere Mullah. The country from Gadee to the Illyaut encampment near the latter town, appeared to be of a very sterile description, but it now gradually assumed a more luxuriant character. Two miles south-east of the town we entered upon extensive wheat fields diversified by rich grass and high shrubbery. Abundance of partridges and plovers ran or flew immediately before us scarcely conscious of fear. We crossed the Tab about seven miles from Dere Mullah, but the river was here so shallow that it did not reach the mules' bellies. Large flights of locusts now preceded our advance, and wild herbs in great abundance shed a grateful perfume around.

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costume.

GENERAL VIEW.

It would be superfluous to give the details of the journey to the various towns or hamlets of Wooly, Bagdadee, Charkhanarood, and Chom, since they offered but little of variety. There was no difference in the main features of the three first, and the only circumstance in the latter which indicated that we had reached a new territory was the alteration of The kolah made of camel-felt, here entirely superseded the lilac cloth turban, and the people of Chom acknowledged no fealty to the Chab sheikh. I have noted with as much fidelity as my means of observation would permit, the relative situations of these places, and may mention that the soil is rich and covered with shrubbery and herbage between Wooly and Chom, but is remarkably mountainous, barren, and rocky between Chom and Bebuhan. In fact the road from one town to the other lay for nearly the whole distance over a range of rugged hills which have hitherto been considered by geographers to form a range of the mountains of Buctiari. They are intersected however by so large a plain that

there is no excuse for confounding them; the more especially as the best informed natives invariably call them the Parrh-Zeitoon or hills of Zeitoon, to distinguish them from the hills of Deidass which run south east and northwest of Bebuhan, and which are also distinct from the chain properly termed Buctiari.

Zeitoon, which Colonel Macdonald has designated in his map as a particular town, is likewise the name given to the whole eastern branch of the Chab territories, and is studded with small villages, and abounds with springs of delicious water.

Bebuhan-A conscientious Vizier-Persian FemalesNew mode of taking coffee-Awful alternative-Commence journey over the mountains of Buctiari.

I REACHED Bebuhan on the 3rd of June, and took up my quarters in the principal caravanserai; where, in a few minutes, I was assailed bythe blind, the lame, and the halt, the curious and the covetous. Among the latter were several mountebanks, bear and monkey leaders, dervises, and cafila or caravan drivers.

The geographical position and dimensions of Bebuhan have been accurately laid down by the author of the Geographical Memoir,* but he

*

Page 72 of the 4to. edition. The reader must pardon the frequent allusion made to Macdonald Kin