Rirera—All the rivers whioh originate on the southern and western slope of the mountains that surround the Plain of Seistan on the north and east, fall into the Hamoon. They partake of the nature of moan lain torrents, at one time of the year rushing down with groat viol ence, almost black with mud, and at others being either quite dry, or , flowing in a dear, languid, and shallow stream. The largest of these rivers are the Helmand, the Khash-rood, the Furrah-roed, .and the Adrascund. The lIdmund is noticed in the article AFGHANISTAN (vol. 1. col. 89). When about 15 miles from the lake it divides into several arms near Khwajeh Ahmed. The Helmand, in the dry season, is never without a plentiful supply of water; during the swell it comes down with astonishing rapidity, and is said to be equal in size to the Jumna. Its coarse probably exceeds 400 miles. The Khash rood falls into the Dak.i-Teer at no great distance from the now mouth of the Helmand. This river rises in the lower declivity of tho moun tains of liazaureb, and flows within their range south-mat. It enters the plain near Dilaram, and then runs south-west to its embouchure. The course of the Mush-rood exceeds 100 miles, but in summer it is nearly dry. The Furrahrood, which falls into the north-eastern extre mity of the old Hamoon, rises likewise in the lower declivities of the mountains of Ilazaureb, towards the western extremity of the moun tain region, and its course is mostly to the south-west and south. It enters the lake about 2() miles south of Laush. Its course exceeds 100 miles. This river is nearly dry for the greater part of the year; water it however confined in many places by bunda or natural hollows, and la always to be found by digging a few feet into the is the eau with most of the rivers of this part of Asia. During the spring it is a broad and rapid river. The rldraseutal, or falls into the Hansom, about 12 miles west of the Furrah-rood, and is about the same aim. This river waters the Plain of Herat, through which It runs from east to west, rising a considerable distance east of that town. It afterwards turns to the south-east, and crosses the highroad from Kandahar to Herat, about 50 miles south of the latter.
After flowing east by south through the Plain of Subzawer It sweeps round to the west, but gradually turns to the south, in which direction It enters the Hamoon. The ibreatio-feei drains a part of the country between the Kbaah-rood and the Furrah-rood, and terminates in a marsh.
The Vale of the Helmund contains a fertile strip of ground, called the Gnrmsir, or hot country, of about two miles average width. It stretches along the bank of the river, and is a rich tract, well culti vated, and full of orchards, in which the mulberry-tree is very plentiful. The vales of the Khaah-rood and Furrah-rood contain numerous inhabited places. Their vales are traversed by the wild hordes of the Beloochees. The Vale of the Adrascund is only to a small extent capable of cultivation.
aiatate.—Our information respecting the climate of Seistan is very scanty. The heat in summer is oppressive. For nearly half the year a strong steady wind blows from the snowy mountains which lie to the north. This wind is confined to a breadth of about 80 miles, between the range of hills west of the Hamoon and the town of Khash.
During the prevalence of this wind the days are very hot, but the nights are generally cold. It affects the eyes of the inhabitants, parti cularly by the dust which it raises, and which is mixed with particles of salt. During the three months of the winter the weather is very pleasant, and similar to that in the north-west part of Hindustan. Snow rarely falls in Seistan. The climate however is generally unfavourable to human life, which is mainly to be attributed to the immense quantity of stagnant water, especially in the vicinity of the Hamoon.
Produetions.—Wheat, rice, and some coarser grains, are cultivated. Cotton is extensively raised : the plant is not half the height of the Indian one, but it bears a large pod. Large water-melons are raised in enormous quantities on the margin of the Hamoon. The largest tree in the Plain of Seistan Proper is a prickly pomegranate. The
Gurmair is well stocked with mulberry-trees.
There is hardly a horse in the country. The mortality which prevails among them is generally attributed to the irritation produced by the flies, with which the country swarms at certain seasons. The few horses which are kept for state are tended with the greatest care in dark stables, from which they only come out on important occa sions, except during the winter. Camels are numerous iu the Gurmsir, and in the desert to the south-east of Seistan proper. Sheep and goats constitute the principal wealth of the pastoral tribes which inhabit the deserts. The sheep are of the broad-tailed kind. Mules and asses are numerous, and thrive well. The cattle are of good size, and much rained in the neighbouring countries. The more common wild animals are wolves, jackals, hyenas, porcupines, hedgehogs, and kangaroo-rats. The skins of the otters are exported to Bokbara. The marshy and rocky parte of the Hamoon shelter innumerable wild hogs, which are very destructive to the fields. They are hunted with trained dogs, which are large, strong, bold animals. Wild asses and deer abound in the desert which lies between the Hamoon and the hills west of it. In these hills leopards are met with, and in the desert north of the Helmund there are antelopes. Water-fowl in incredible numbers appear during the time of the inundation. Geese, ducks, and teal are domesticated. Fish are plentiful in the rivers as well as in the Hamoon. Mosquitoes are very troublesome during the hot season.
Common salt is the only mineral which abounds in Seistan. It is found in patches in various parts of the desert. Saltpetre may be obtained in numerous places. Tho plain of Furrah is a saltpetre marsh.
inhabitants.—The country north of the Helmund and the Gurmsir is inhabited by tribes of the Ddoranees [Aeolus:m.6x], but in some parts of the desert it seems that the Beloochees havo settled. Of Seistan proper the original inhabitants appear to have been Tajiks. Two considerable tribes called Shekrukee and Surbundec, from Persian Irak, subsequently settled in the delta of the Helmund. The tribes of the Beloocheos, which are settled on both sides of the Helmund as far as Seistan proper, and also occupy the southern banks of the Dfik-l-Teer, formerly lived in tents, and subsisted by pasturage and pillage; but they have now applied themselves with industry and success to husbandry, and have adopted tho dress and manners of the other tribes of Seistan.
Totone.—Dooshak, which by Captain Conolly is called Dushtuck, in Seistan proper, contains about 2000 houses, and is built on the ruins of a much larger place, which is called Jellalabad. Other important town, noticed by travellers are Boorji, Chuting, and Sekoha, which appear to be largo and well-built towns. In the vale of the Furrah rood two considerable places are named, Laua and Furrah. Furrah is stated to be a very largo walled town, with some commerce. The most important places in the vale of the Khaah-rood seem to be Kudddi and Khash.
Government.—Seietan, as a province of the kingdom of Afghanistan, Is governed by a haukim, who collects the revenue and commands the militia, and a Birder, who commands the regular troops. Their authority is considerable in the populous districts, where the power of the heads of the tribes is not great; but among the Beloocheos and other nomadic tribes their influence is small.
Seistan constituted a great part of the province Aria of the Persian empire; but as none of the great thoroughfares of Asia traverse this part, we are very little acquainted with the state in which it was at that time. No European traveller visited this country before 1788, when George Forster, in his 'Journey from Bengal to England,' in passing along the road leading from Kandahar to Herat, travelled along its northern boundary. In 1810 Captain Christie traversed it from south to north, departing from Nooshky in Beloochistan, and passing through the lower vale of the Helmund to Furrah and Herat. Events in Afghanistan in 1839 and subsequent years have somewhat added to the information we possess in reference to these countries.