But it was in Asia that the conquest, and commerce, and religion of the Arabians spread most extensively; and hence their geographical knowledge of this part of the globe is more full, accurate, and minute, than what they had acquired of the other portions.  By their conquest of Persia, the ancient Bactriana, Transoxiana, &c. fell into their power; and according to their wise plan, they immediately made themselves acquainted with the geography, productions, &c. of these countries.  From their writers we can glean many new and curious particulars, respecting the districts which lie to the north and east of the Gihon:  whether in all respects they are accurate, cannot now be ascertained; for these districts, besides that they are comparatively little known to the moderns, have suffered so much from various causes, that their identity can hardly be determined.

On the west of Asia, near the Black Sea and the borders of Europe, the Arabian geographers throw much light; their information is minute and exact, and it reaches to the passes of Caucasus.  Red Russia, it is well known, derives its appellation from the colour of the hair of its inhabitants.  Now the Arabian geographers describe a Sclavonic nation, inhabiting a country near Caucasus, called Seclab, remarkable for the redness of their hair.  Hence, it is probable that the modern inhabitants of Red Russia, who are Sclavonic, emigrated to it from this district of Caucasus.

Some notices appear of those parts, of Russia which border on Russia:  Maschput, which is represented as a city of consequence, probably is Moscow.  On the borders of the salt plains of Susith, a country is described, called Boladal Rus, evidently Russia, the inhabitants of which are represented as noted for their filth.

With the figure and extent of the Caspian Sea, the Arabian geographers were tolerably well acquainted:  and they describe, so as to be recognized, several tribes inhabiting the borders of this sea, as well as the vicinity of the Wolga.  One is particularly noticed and celebrated, being called the People of the Throne of Gold, the khan of whom lived at Seray, near the mouth of the Wolga.  To the east of the Caspian, the Arabian conquests did not extend farther than those of Alexander and his immediate successors.  Transoxiana was the limit of their dominions towards the north, in this part of the world.

Of many of the districts which the Arabians, conquered, in this part of Asia, they have furnished us with such accurate and full information, that modern discoveries have been able to add or correct very little.  That they were acquainted with Thibet and China, has already appeared, from the account given of their commerce.  Thibet they represent as divided into three parts, Thibet upper, central, and lower.  At the beginning of the eighth century, Arabian ambassadors were sent to China:  they passed through Cashgar.  After this period, journies to China by the route of