by Edrisi to
these very mountains. Mr. Abbott's MS. Report also mentions in this
direction, _Sardu_, said to be a cold country (as its name seems to
express [see above,--H. C.]), which its population (Iliyats) abandon in
winter for the lower plains. It is but recently that the importance of
this range of mountains has become known to us. Indeed the _existence_ of
the chain, as extending continuously from near Kashan, was first indicated
by Khanikoff in 1862. More recently Major St. John has shown the magnitude
of this range, which rises into summits of 15,000 feet in altitude, and
after a course of 550 miles terminates in a group of volcanic hills some
50 miles S.E. of Bamm. Yet practically this chain is ignored on all our
maps!

Marco's description of the "Plain of Formosa" does not apply, now at
least, to the _whole_ plain, for towards Bander Abbasi it is barren. But
to the eastward, about Minao, and therefore about Old Hormuz, it has not
fallen off. Colonel Pelly writes: "The district of Minao is still for
those regions singularly fertile. Pomegranates, oranges, pistachio-nuts,
and various other fruits grow in profusion. The source of its fertility is
of course the river, and you can walk for miles among lanes and cultivated
ground, partially sheltered from the sun." And Lieutenant Kempthorne, in
his notes on that coast, says of the same tract: "It is termed by the
natives the Paradise of Persia. It is certainly most beautifully fertile,
and abounds in orange-groves, and orchards containing apples, pears,
peaches, and apricots; with vineyards producing a delicious grape, from
which was at one time made a wine called _amber-rosolli_"--a name not easy
to explain. _'Ambar-i-Rasul_, "The Prophet's Bouquet!" would be too bold a
name even for Persia, though names more sacred are so profaned at Naples
and on the Moselle. Sir H. Rawlinson suggests _'Ambar-'asali_, "Honey
Bouquet," as possible.

When Nearchus beached his fleet on the shore of _Harmozeia_ at the mouth
of the _Anamis_ (the River of Minao), Arrian tells us he found the country
a kindly one, and very fruitful in every way except that there were no
olives. The weary mariners landed and enjoyed this pleasant rest from
their toils. (_Indica_, 33; _J. R. G. S._ V. 274.)

[Illustration: MARCO POLO'S ITINERARIES
No. II.
Kerman to Hormuz (Bk I. Ch. 19)]

The name Formosa is probably only Rusticiano's misunderstanding of
_Harmuza_, aided, perhaps, by Polo's picture