DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0536
Chap, xxix.]
BALAT.
503
soon after sunset, having had for the last few miles a low
range of hills on our right, consisting of alternating beds
of sand and conglomerate, dipping N. and N.N.W. at an
angle of 20°, and underlying the white cretaceous formation.
The pebbles of the conglomerate were quartz, quartzose
schist, limestone, and a cherty flint.
Friday, October 7.—At half-past eight we started for
Kaklek, distant eight hours. Leaving Balat, we descended
to the shores of the lake, and continued for several miles
between it and the conglomerate rocks on our right. Here
we fell in with a large tribe of Euruques marching from
one pasture to another: the men were all on horseback,
the women on foot led the asses and mares laden with
the tents and utensils. The infants and younger children
were carefully strapped aloft on the baggage-horses, while
the elder ones brought up the rear, driving the herds and
flocks before them. Each family seemed to possess an old
cock, tied by the leg on the top of one of the loads. The
villagers complained much of their constant migrations, and
the injury done to their corn and crops by the straggling
cattle ; they pay but a trifling contribution to the governors,
and are exempt from the obligation of furnishing recruits
for the army. It would almost seem as if a recollection
of their own origin, and a predilection for the charms of a
wandering life, had disposed the Turkish Government to
look upon these migratory hordes with sympathy and in-
dulgence, though from motives of policy they endeavour
to induce them to adopt more stationary habits.
As we reached the western termination of the lake, the
hills on our right rose to a great height, forming precipitous
and lofty cliffs : the highest point, called Besh Parmak (or
five fingers), which from its insulated position must be
visible from a great distance, forms the southern point of a
ridge of hills which extends north nearly to Ishekli. After
passing this hill, we halted near the extremity of the lake
to observe the process of collecting the salt, at which the
inhabitants of the neighbouring village of Chardak were
BALAT.
503
soon after sunset, having had for the last few miles a low
range of hills on our right, consisting of alternating beds
of sand and conglomerate, dipping N. and N.N.W. at an
angle of 20°, and underlying the white cretaceous formation.
The pebbles of the conglomerate were quartz, quartzose
schist, limestone, and a cherty flint.
Friday, October 7.—At half-past eight we started for
Kaklek, distant eight hours. Leaving Balat, we descended
to the shores of the lake, and continued for several miles
between it and the conglomerate rocks on our right. Here
we fell in with a large tribe of Euruques marching from
one pasture to another: the men were all on horseback,
the women on foot led the asses and mares laden with
the tents and utensils. The infants and younger children
were carefully strapped aloft on the baggage-horses, while
the elder ones brought up the rear, driving the herds and
flocks before them. Each family seemed to possess an old
cock, tied by the leg on the top of one of the loads. The
villagers complained much of their constant migrations, and
the injury done to their corn and crops by the straggling
cattle ; they pay but a trifling contribution to the governors,
and are exempt from the obligation of furnishing recruits
for the army. It would almost seem as if a recollection
of their own origin, and a predilection for the charms of a
wandering life, had disposed the Turkish Government to
look upon these migratory hordes with sympathy and in-
dulgence, though from motives of policy they endeavour
to induce them to adopt more stationary habits.
As we reached the western termination of the lake, the
hills on our right rose to a great height, forming precipitous
and lofty cliffs : the highest point, called Besh Parmak (or
five fingers), which from its insulated position must be
visible from a great distance, forms the southern point of a
ridge of hills which extends north nearly to Ishekli. After
passing this hill, we halted near the extremity of the lake
to observe the process of collecting the salt, at which the
inhabitants of the neighbouring village of Chardak were