Birds of the Pamir Range. 51 



grasses of the steppes of Alai. But, besides grasses, the 

 Pamir possesses some bushes, and even trees. In two 

 places, near the river Ak-su and near Jeschil-kul, are found 

 groves of white willows at the height of 12,500 feet, with 

 trees 10, and even 15 feet high; and here and there, on dif- 

 ferent rivers, we found tamarisk-bushes [Myricaria ?) growing 

 as high up as 13,500 feet. In general the fauna and flora of 

 the Pamir are richer than its severe climate would lead one 

 to expect. 



There are only ten or fifteen days in the latter part 

 of July of the whole year which can be said to be free 

 from frost at night ; and in the month of August the frosts 

 already reach —15°, and even — 17° C. In the daytime 

 the temperature is generally above zero, and when it is calm 

 the thermometer rises to 12° and 15°C. in the shade, and to 

 more than 20° C. in the sun ; but such calm weather is rarely 

 experienced, except in well-protected valleys, as, for instance, 

 near Ran-kul and Bulum-kul in the Pamir Alichur. In 

 most of the long valleys near Kara-kul, on the Alichur and 

 elsewhere, strong winds are constantly blowing, which often 

 increase to tempests. Sometimes even as early as August 

 these winds bring down fine crisp snow. In September more 

 snow falls, and there is frost both night and day. In October 

 the waters — first the lakes and then the rivers — begin to 

 freeze. The ice on the latter begins to break up at the end of 

 April, and on the lakes at the end of May ; but the weather 

 is still very cold in June, and snow often falls during that 

 month. The snow that falls in spring and summer melts 

 very rapidly, and waters the vegetation of the Pamir. Rain 

 is very rare, and falls only in the valleys which lie below 

 13,000 feet. The spring lasts two months and a few days — 

 May, June, and the beginning of July ; the pure summer, 

 without frosts, lasts about two weeks, but frequently less, and 

 three weeks at the very most. The autumn lasts about as 

 long as the spring — August, September, and the beginning 

 of October — ^after which come seven long months of winter, 

 to which may perhaps be added, especially in the upper 



e2 



