TURAN 59 



the large valleys display luxuriant orchards, where most 

 of the mediterranean produce arid fruits are grown : 

 mulberry, apricot, plum, almond, apple, as well as grapes, 

 melons, maize, rice, wheat, and cotton ; and tall, columnar 

 poplars are everywhere in evidence. In respect of its 

 agriculture, therefore, this belt is related to the mediter- 

 ranean regions, of whose climate it presents a drier and 

 more extreme variety. This comparison would be still 

 more justifiable at the time of the greater extension of 

 the inland seas. 



The winter and spring rains provide temporary grazing 

 grounds for cattle, sheep, camels, and ponies, which 

 migrate in summer to the snow-free and luscious moun- 

 tain pastures. Here again, as all over central Asia, 

 the annual rhythm of migration from lowlands to high- 

 lands and back is strongly marked. 



Turkestan Highlands ; Tian Shan, Alai, Badakshan. 

 Compared with the surrounding lowlands, the Tian Shan 

 highlands appear as a delightful oasis, both on account 

 of their varied scenery and of their verdant vegetation. 

 They drain the north and westerly winds of what mois- 

 ture they may possess, which usually amounts, however, to 

 less than 20 inches yearly. The atmosphere is generally 

 clearer than in the Siberian highlands. Owing to the 

 northern and western origin of the moisture-bringing 

 winds, the southern and eastern districts are drier and 

 poorer than those of the north and west, and over the 

 entire area, northern and western slopes are the richer 

 and moister. 



With the rains, snows, and mists, tree-growth is 

 possible here at altitudes exceeding 5,000 feet and up to 

 9,000 feet ; but it is exclusively coniferous. Poplars are 

 seen only in the depths of the river- valleys, and walnuts 

 and other fruit-trees grow exclusively in gardens. The 



