314 RECORD OF SCIENCE FOR 1886. 



by the fierce native tribes. A simple outline, giving the regions visited 

 in these several journeys, may not be amiss in this place. 



The first voyage extended from 1871-73, during which time be visited 

 and made known for the first time the sources of the Bbie Eiver, the 

 Yang-tse-kiang. In his second trip he travelled through the Thian 

 Shan region as far as the Tarim, and then he was forced to return 

 through eastern Turkestan. This took place in 1876-'77. In 1878-'79, 

 he explored the region about Lake Zaisan and reached Tsaidam in 

 Thibet; then going forward, he was stopped within IGO miles of Sadji. 

 He then turned his attention to the headwaters of the Hoaug-ho. In 

 his fourth journey, begun in 1883, he again crossed these central desert 

 regions to the source of the Hoang ho, spending the month of February, 

 1884, in the mountains of Thibet. In May he again passed through 

 Tsaidam, where he left his stores in charge of the Cossacks. The 

 river in this region has only a breadth of about 150 feet, which however 

 soon increases rapidly. The Chinese have a great veneration for the 

 Hoang-ho, which is justified by its importance to the region through 

 which it flows. Wild animals, yaks, etc., are the only living things 

 found neai its source, but in its lower course, when the plains are reached, 

 it becomes thickly settled. From these headwaters he turned farther 

 southward to the source of the Yang-tse-kiang. Here he again en- 

 countered many difficulties, chief among which were the natives; they 

 were generally poorly armed and easily repulsed, but he was exposed 

 to their sudden attacks for several months. 



Crossing from southern to western Tsaidam he found desert land 

 once more, and he was glad to reach a small town called Gas, even 

 though he was forced to take the most impracticable routes. Here 

 he remained three months, and then passed on to western Thibet, where 

 he discovered three new mountain ranges. On his return to Gas ho 

 passed through these mountains once more, going to Loto on his way. 

 In this place he was received kindly by the inhabitants, who seem to be 

 of Turkish origin. He received the same treatment from the natives of 

 western China and eastern Turkestan. 



This part of the country is described in the most favorable terms. It 

 seems to have a warm and agreeable climate, to be very fertile, and winter 

 is scarcely known. All the surrounding nations are represented here — 

 Chinese, Mongolians, Arabians, and Hindoos. Going farther, another 

 desert region was crossed, which was dotted here and there with oases ; 

 that of Tchertchen was found to contaiti the remains of an ancient and 

 forgotten village ; the Oasis of Potam is described as very fertile, and 

 he is the first ex])lorer who has followed and described the course of 

 the Eiver Potam. This river arises in a marsh in the midst of the desert, 

 and has a length of about 120 miles; after following it he passed 

 across the River Tarim and then went to the oasis of Akson. From 

 this spot he crossed the Thian Shan mountains to Sekoul, where his 

 journey ended. 



