OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN ASIA. 195 
the geography of Central Asia, has been so remarkable, that it 
may require a little consideration. It has, I think, been consi- 
dered unquestionable by all modern geographers, that the Ca- 
sia Regio of Protemy can be no otlier than the modern Cash:- 
gar. Not only has this been the sole prop of D’Anviuxex’s hy- 
pothesis, but it has perhaps been the main source of the perti- 
nacity, with which the Beloor has been always identified with 
the Imaus., I,must here premise, that no proof has been used 
ina more irregular and licentious manner, than the one in ques- 
tion. The ever rolling tide of war and. revolution, has swept 
from almost every region the names borne by it during the age 
of which we are treating. If we make an exception of great 
natural, objects, mountains and rivers, there is not perhaps one 
name in twenty which bears any resemblance; and it is quite 
as likely, that this one should be the result of accident as of 
real identity... 1 would therefore lay down a principle which 
will scarcely perhaps be dissented from by any who have had 
the least experience in such researches: Where the. descrip- 
tions correspond, a similar name may be considered as fixing 
the spot with greater certainty and precision: Where there is 
no such correspondence, a mere name can never be set against 
those grand features of nature which, remaining the same from 
age to age, form our only sure guide in such an investigation. 
. The Casia Regio is a territory of Scythia extra Imaum, bor- 
dering upon, and even, aecording to Protemy, extending into 
Serica.. Cashgar is at an immense distance from China or 
Great Thibet ; it is situated close to the Beloor. It would be 
a mere repetition of every thing that has been said, to prove 
that the identifying of the two breaks up the whole scheme of 
Pyoxemy’s geography of Central Asia; and that, according to 
him, .Cashgar ought to form part of Scythia intra Imaum. 
There is a still more decided and tangible discrepancy. Cash- 
Bb 2 gar 
