Note 107 — ARABIAN NIGHTS’ (continued 29)

‘Sogd Samarcand,’ or the plain of Samarcand, is on the north side of that city, and from it the province called by the ancients ‘Sogdiana’ took its name. The oriental writers say, that this plain or valley is one of the four paradises or most delightful places in the world, as well as the plain and valley of Damascus, which is called ‘Gauthah.’ They make it eight days journey in extent; and it is covered on every side with gardens full of fruit of admirable beauty and variety, or corn-fields and pastures ever green, the soil being watered by springs and rivulets issuing from a large and principal river called ‘Cai,’ running through the middle of the plain. A number of populous towns and villages, full of industrious cultivators of the soil, over-spread this rich valley. —Herbelot.