["The Distance From Yezd To Kerman By The Present High
Road, 229 Miles, Is By Caravans, Generally Made In Nine Stages; Persons
Travelling With All Comforts Do It In Twelve Stages; Travellers Whose Time
Is Of Some Value Do It Easily In Seven Days." (Houtum-Schindler, L.C.
Pp.
490-491.) - H. C.]
Khanikoff observes on this chapter: "This notice of woods easy to ride
through, covering the plain of Yezd, is very curious. Now you find it a
plain of great extent indeed from N.W. to S.E., but narrow and arid;
indeed I saw in it only thirteen inhabited spots, counting two
caravanserais. Water for the inhabitants is brought from a great distance
by subterraneous conduits, a practice which may have tended to desiccate
the soil, for every trace of wood has completely disappeared."
Abbott travelled from Yezd to Kerman in 1849, by a road through Bafk,
east of the usual road, which Khanikoff followed, and parallel to it;
and it is worthy of note that he found circumstances more accordant with
Marco's description. Before getting to Bafk he says of the plain that it
"extends to a great distance north and south, and is probably 20 miles in
breadth;" whilst Bafk "is remarkable for its groves of date-trees, in
the midst of which it stands, and which occupy a considerable space."
Further on he speaks of "wild tufts and bushes growing abundantly," and
then of "thickets of the Ghez tree." He heard of the wild asses, but did
not see any.
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