_ 307 _ at its narrowest, one. The greater part of it runs in a westerly direction along some mountain- ranges. It forms another arm which runs from north to south. It must be four or five days’ journey round. It is surrounded by many cities and villages, which we shall describe in the itineraries. Although many great rivers flow into it from everywhere, it never grows and always remains one body of water. A fish is caught in it, as large as big sardines, and in such quantity that each year upwards of a thousand loads are brought out. They are smoked and taken to Tabriz and everywhere else in Armenia. They are very tasty, and no other kind is caught. This is controlled by a few large boats fishing for them. The wood is taken to Van and other places from many forests which lie around it the sea. We stayed in this city until the next Monday, when, having despatched and paid our dues, we left on the moming of 10th December. We travelled along an arm of the sea in a southerly direction over muddy roads. About two leagues farther on we passed through a city which was all tumbledown and ruined. Formerly it was a large settlement called Ardamiat. It was given by a former king of Armenia to a woman who, as he was a great lover of wine and was feeling an
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