SEGESTAN, or SEISTAN, an independent province in the east of Persia, bounded on the north by Can dahar and Khorasan, and on the south by Mekran and Balouchistan, is 300 miles long and 160 broad. I was once one of the finest provinces of the empire, hut the sand winds from Mekran and Balouchistan, which blew for 120 days during the hot months, have reduced it to the most desolate condition. The banks of the Heermund, which rising in Cabul, flows through the province into the lake of Durrah, consist of a valley from one to two miles broad, which is cultivated and covered with verdure and brushwood. On each side of it rise perpendicular cliffs, which bound the arid desert, intersected with one or two ranges of mountains, which form the rest of the pro vince. Along the valley are great numbers of ruined towns, villages, and forts; and at one of these was Kulcauput, a noble palace in a state of good preser vation. The Heermund is 400 yards wide and very deep, and its water is remarkably fine. Captain Christie describes the remains of a city called Pool kee as immense. The principal place of Seistan is
Doorhak, the residence of the mince, in east long. 10', and north lat. 31°. It is situated 10 miles from the river, and is small and compact, though the ruins of it cover a great surface. It has a good ba zaar, and is populous. The country round produces wheat, barley, and good pasturage. The re? elutes of the prince are 80,000 rupees, and his military force 5000 men. The ruins of a very large city called Peshawaroon stand 25 miles north orDooshak; and a few miles beyond it are the ruins of Toaen. Ferrah, a large walled town 65 miles from Dooshak, stands in a fertile valley, on a river which runs into the lake Zerreh. The city of Kubbees, about ten days jour ney from Dooshak, stands in the midst of the arid plain above mentioned, fifteen days journey from Ker man, and sixteen from Yezd. See Kinneir's Memoir of the Persian Empire, p. 189-194.