756 ZONES AND REGIONS [Pt. Ill, Sect. IV 



Ranunculus affinis, Potentilla multifida, P. fruticosa, Allium strobilaceum, 

 Pedicularis labellata, Polygonum viviparum, Taraxacum glabrum, Carex 

 ustulata). 



Fig. 455. Pamirs : Shakh-daria. From a photograph 

 by Kaznakoff. 



In the stony desert, which generally begins at 3,7<So to 4,110 meters, the 

 vegetation is extremely poor (Saxifraga sp., Saussurea sorocephala, Pyre- 



FlG. 456. Shugnan, bank of an unnamed little river. From a 

 photograph by Kaznakoff. 



thrum sp., Thylacospermum sp.). This stony desert ceases at 4,400 meters, 

 where perpetual snow begins. 



The Kuenlun Mountains (Fig. 457), to judge by Przhevalsky's de- 

 scription 1 , possess a character similar to that of the Nan-Shan Moun- 



1 Przhevalsky, op. cit., p. 216. 



