THE KIRGHIZ STEPPE KEGIOX. 79 



The greater part of the steppe is ouly suited to the existence of uomads, as it contains very- 

 few oases adapted to cultivation and colonization. The climate of the steppe portion of the 

 Kirghiz steppe region is considerably warmer than in the neighbouring cultivated or agricul- 

 tural zone of AVestern Siberia, but still more continental. The mean annual temperature in 

 Akmoliusk and Semipalatinsk lying in 51° and 50^/2° X. lat, is from 2° to 2.5 Celsius, that 

 is, 2'^ higher than in Siberia. The temperature in winter is — 16", that of the coldest 

 mouth — 18.5°, almost identical with the Western Siberia agricultural zone. But the average 

 summer tempeiature, rising as high as 20" and of the hottest month 22°, is more considerable 

 than in Western Siberia. The difference of temperature in summer and winter, 36°, as also 

 that between the hottest and coldest months, 40°, are greater than in Western Siberia. The 

 mean temperature of the five-months vegetative period (18°) considerably exceeds that of 

 Western Siberia. On the other hand the amount of atmospheric precipitation in the course of 

 the year in Akmolinsk only reaches 229 millimetres, of which 166 fall to the three summer 

 months, and in Semipalatinsk 186 millimetres, of which 80 are in summer. Still less moisture 

 falls in the southern part of the steppe, of which an idea may be formed from the observations 

 taken in the Turgai bordering on this country. There the fall in the course of the year is 

 122 millimetres, of which only 16 millimetres belong to the summer. In the Ilungry-Steppe 

 or Bed-Pak-Dala, lying on the southern frontier of the steppe on the river Chu, there is no 

 rain at all in summer. Evideutly there being no possibility of irrigation, as the river Chu 

 is very shallow, this zone is nothing but a dead wilderness. 



Incomparably more favourable are the climatic conditions of the submountainous region. 

 According to the averages derived from the observations made in Alerny and Kuldzha, thai 

 is, in the foot hills of the Transilian Altai and the Thian-Shan about 44° X. lat., the annual 

 temperature is 9° Celsius, that in winter only — 6°, that of the coldest month — 10°, of 

 summer 22°, and of the hottest month 26". The difference between summer and winter is 28", 

 that between the coldest and hottest months 36°. Almost as mild is the climate of Kopal, 

 situated 2° further north in the submountainous region of the Semirecheusk Altai. Here the 

 mean annual temperature is 7*5°, of winter — 5°, of the coldest month — 6", of summer 20", 

 of the hottest month 21°. The difference between winter and summer is 25°, and between the 

 hottest and coldest months 27°. The average temperature of the five-months vegetative period 

 is 21° in A'ierny and Kuldzha, and 1«" in Kopal. The mild winters afford a sufficient explan- 

 ation why in this country not only is gardening possible, which does not exist anywhere in 

 Siberia, but even grape growing. Vierny has a precipitation of more than 560 millimetres 

 a year, of which most falls in spring, namely 226 millimetres, and in summer 115 millimetres. 

 Such a climate may be counted among the best in lUissia. 



The vegetable covering of the submountainous region is luxuriant and extremely varied, 

 the more so that the climatic zones are there disposed in layers one above another and exhibit 

 perfectly different types of vegetation. The greatest resemblance to the flora of Russia is 

 presented by that of the foothills at an elevation of 2,000 to 7,500 feet, that is, that part 

 which is most capable of development in reference to civilized and settled life, and in 

 which are placed all the Russian coloiues of the country. At 7,500 feet the forest 

 vegetation ceases; above spreads the zone of alpine meadows, while below 2,500 feet the 



