Arachotians, the Thamanseans, the Sarangae, and the
Paricanians. The Sagartians and Cossseans dwelt in the western portion
of the tract, the latter probably about the Siah-Koh mountains, the
former scattered over the whole region from the borders of Persia Proper
to the Caspian Gates and the Elburz range. Along its northern edge, east
of the Sagartians, were the Parthians, the Arians, and the Gandarians.
occurring in that order as we proceed from west to east. The Parthians
held the country known now as the Atak or "Skirt," the flat tract at the
southern base of the Elburz from about Shahrud to Khaff, together with
a portion of the mountain region adjoining. This is a rich and valuable
territory, well watered by a number of small streams, which, issuing
from the ravines and valleys of the Elburz, spread fertility around, but
lose themselves after a short, course in the Salt Desert. Adjoining the
Parthians upon the east were the Haroyu, Hariva, or Arians, an Iranic
race of great antiquity, who held the country along the southern skirts
of the mountains from the neighborhood of Khaff to the point where the
Heri-rud (Arius) issues from the Paropamisan mountains. The character
of this country closely resembles that of Parthia, whereof it is a
continuation; but the copious stream of the Heri-rud renders it even
more productive.

The Gandarians held Kabul, and the mountain tract on both sides of the
Kabul river as far as the upper course of the Indus, thus occupying
the extreme north-eastern corner of the plateau, the region where its
elevation is the greatest. Lofty mountain-ridges, ramifying in various
directions but tending generally to run east and west, deep gorges,
narrow and tremendous passes, like the Khyber, characterize this
district. Its soil is generally rocky and barren; but many of the
valleys are fertile, abounding with enchanting scenery and enjoying a
delightful climate. More especially is this the case in the neighborhood
of the city of Kabul, which is perhaps the Caspatyrus of Herodotus,
where Darius built the fleet which descended the Indus.

South of Aria and Gandaria, in the tract between the Great Desert
and the Indus valley, the plateau was occupied by four nations--the
Thamanseans, the Sarangians, the Sattagydians, and the Arachotians.
The Thamanaean country appears to have been that which lies south and
south-east of Aria (Herat), reaching from the Haroot-rud or river of
Subzawar to the banks of th