É. Apor (ed.): Stein, Aurel: Old Routes of Western Iran. (Budapest Oriental Reprints, Ser. B 2.)

INTRODUCTION xvii seven sketch maps of areas of special interest in the text. These sketch maps have been drawn by Mr. Andrews on fairly large scales from the original plane-table sheets, but without their form lines showing hills. The map intended for the Geographical Journal had to be put on the stone while I was engaged on archaeological field work in the Near East and before the text of this volume could be written. This may explain certain discrepancies in the record of local names between the map and the text. My endeavour had been to record local names as heard in the field and to apply to their spelling the system of transcription approved by the International Orientalist Congress. But difficulties were bound to be met where the local pronunciations, as in Lür and Kurd tracts, varied markedly from the form used by Persianspeaking persons. I am aware that in such cases as also in other details, such as division of component parts in names, I am likely to have often strayed from the lines of linguistic consistency. My excuse must be that though Iranian philology had its place among the studies of my youth I cannot claim to be an Iranian scholar. In all cases of discrepant record the Index indicates the form I meant to be adopted. There still remains for me to record my grateful acknowledgment of further consideration and help which has rendered publication of this narrative in a satisfactory form possible. However much previous experience has accustomed me to generous treatment of my books on the part of Messrs. Macmillan & Co., I could not have expected them to undertake publication of this volume without a substantial subsidy. This was provided from the Harvard b