File:The universal geography - the earth and its inhabitants (1876) (14742278746).jpg

Identifier: cu31924095158964 (find matches)
Title: The universal geography : the earth and its inhabitants
Year: 1876 (1870s)
Authors: Reclus, Elisée, 1830-1905 Ravenstein, Ernest George, 1834-1913 Keane, A. H. (Augustus Henry), 1833-1912
Subjects: Geography
Publisher: London : J.S. Virtue & Co., Ltd.
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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aise dense clouds of snow and ashesmingled with suffocating sulphurous exhalations. From the crater, which isfilled with ice, the eye in clear weather sweeps over a vast horizon 50,000 miles inextent, embracing the blue waters of the Caspian, the surrounding highlands, andthe Iranian tableland studded with the dim outlines of towns and green oases. North-west of Demavend the Elburz takes a north-westerly trend parallel withthe Caspian, but gradually drawing nearer to the coast. Here the Tochal rises toan absolute height of 13,000 feet above the plain of Teheran, while several passesstand at an elevation of over 8,000 feet. One of the peaks north-west of Teheran,although not the highest, is specially designated by the name of Elburz, andanother, forming the culminating-point of the north Persian Alps, is one of those thrones of Solomon (Takht-i-Sulaiman) which are found in every Moham- MOUNT DEMAVEND. 85 medan land. It seems to attain an altitude of over 14,600 feet, and still sparkles
Text Appearing After Image:
in the July suii with the glint of its winter snows. But there are no traces of old 86 SOUTH-WESTEEN ASIA. or recent glaciers, nor is tliere apparently any evidence of a glacial period ifiPersia, wMcli nevertheless retains so many indications of a remote epocli of snowsand abundant rains. A little to tlie south-east of the Takht-i-Sulaiman stands thefrowning Alamut, or Eagles Eyrie, chief stronghold of the Old Man of theMountain, the theocratic king of the Assassins, that is, ©f fanatics maddenedby hashish. After a long siege this place was captured by the Mongols in1270, and with it fell the hundred other castles of the sect. B at thfe religion of theseso-called Ismaili still survives, and the direct descendant of the Old Man of theMountain is a peaceful citizen of Bombay, depending for his support on thevoluntary contributions of his followers. Beyond the Takht-i-Sulaiman the main range is continued at a lower elevationby the grassy Saman hills, which are pierced by the copious Sef

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