Alatagh and Meerabee mountains in the centre; and the Jaghetai or
Djuvein range, upon the south, which may be regarded as continued in the
hills above Tersheez and Khaff. The three ranges are parallel, running
east and west, but with an inclination, more or less strong, to the
north of west and the south of east. The northern and central ranges are
connected by a water-shed, which runs nearly east and west, a little to
the south of Kooshan, and separates the head streams of the Ettrek from
those of the Meshed river. The central and southern ranges are connected
by a more decided, mountain line, a transverse ridge which runs nearly
north and south, dividing between the waters that flow westward into the
Gurghan, and those which form the river of Nishapur. This conformation
of the mountains leaves between the ranges three principal valleys, the
valley of Meshed towards the south-east, between the Kurdish range and
the Alatagh and Meerabee; that of Miyanabad towards the west, between
the Alatagh and the Jaghetai; and that of Nishapur towards the south,
between the eastern end of the Jaghetai and the western flank of the
Meerabee. As the valleys are three in number, so likewise are the
rivers, which are known respectively as the Tejend, or river of Meshed,
the river of Nishapur, and the river of Miyanabad.

The Tejend, which is the principal stream of the three, rises from
several sources in the hills south of Kooshan, and flows with a
south-easterly course down the valley of Meshed, receiving numerous
tributaries from both sides, until it reaches that city, when it bends
eastward, and, finding a way through the Kurdish range, joins the course
of the Heri-rud, about long. 01° 10'. Here its direction is completely
changed. Turning at an angle, which is slightly acute, it proceeds to
flow to the west of north, along the northern base of the Kurdish range,
from which it receives numerous small streams, till it ends finally in a
large swamp or marsh, in lat. 39°, long. 57°, nearly. The entire length