Jan. 26, 1857.] FROM LADAK TO KHOTAN. 276 



great elevation of the ridges, these plateaus would be complete 

 deserts. 



In a'^march of 18 miles, we only met with four species of plants ; 

 for many days grass was exceedingly scarce, while for several days 

 we had absolutely none, the grass round the Kiuk-kiul Lake being 

 the only exception. We had taken comparatively a small supply of 

 grain, anticipating in some degree the sterility we met with, which 

 saved our horses from absolute starvation; nevertheless they 

 suffered dreadfully, the more so as the scarcity of grass compelled 

 us to make long marches of 20 to 24 miles a day. Close to the 

 Kiuk-kiul we met with a very interesting group of more than fifty 

 hot springs, chiefly containing muriate of soda and a great quantity 

 of carbonic acid ; their temperature varied from 77" to 120° Fahr. 



We had already met, in the Valley of the Nubra, with two other 

 groups: the one near Panimik (hottest spring), 78'1° (==172-6 

 F.), the other near Changlung, 74-1° (= 165-4 F.). 



After a march of 70 miles in four days, we came to Pumgal, where 

 a route branches off by the Valley of Bushia to Elchi, the capital of 

 Khotan. 



From Pumgal a road branches off, as mentioned above, to Bushia 

 and Elchi ; and as there was some hope of procuring at these places 

 fresh horses or yaks, as well as food, our men were easily persuaded 

 to proceed towards them. We started August the 22nd, with only 

 two laden horses, and had to cross a glacier pass of 17,000 feet, 

 where, at 10 a.m., we were overtaken by a violent snow-storm, 

 lasting till 6 p.m. The road was extremely difficult for the horses, 

 on account of the number of fissures in the glaciers. 



In Bushia, which we reached two days later, on the 25th August, 

 we met with a very cordial reception from the inhabitants, and got 

 horses, yaks, sheep, and provisions, on the promise of payment in 

 Pumgal. 



These people — half-nomadic Tartars — appeared very honest, and 

 the prices they asked were certainly moderate. They inhabit caves, 

 fitted up like houses in the cold season, and tents during the rest of 

 the year. The height of Bushia is 9200 feet. We had taken the 

 precaution of dressing ourselves like the inhabitants, and had also 

 learned the necessary forms of salutation, for the people here are far 

 from being savages, but are, on the contrary, very ceremonious. 

 They took us — never having seen any Europeans — for what we 

 represented ourselves to be— merchants from Delhi. Elchi, the 

 capital of Khotan, was only two days' journey distant, but we found 

 the people very reluctant to accompany us thither (for they feared 

 the Chinese soldiery stationed not far from Bushia) ; besides the 



