Across the Roof of the World. 



narrow valleys, hollows or leads between, desolate and treeless, 

 and with a climate noted for its severity. 



Both from a pohtical and sporting point of view, the Pamirs 

 have attracted a considerable amount of attention, though their 

 military value is a negligible quantity. 



What are the origin of the Pamirs it may be asked ? The 

 term signifies an upland plain and embraces the mountainous 

 region of a remote corner of Central Asia. Their origin rests 

 somewhat in obscurity, but authorities on the subject, such as 

 Sir Francis Younghusband, explain them as ancient glacier beds 

 and the detritus of shale brought down from the mountains the 

 streams have been unable to carry away. 



The total area of the Pamirs is about 25,000 square miles, 

 the greater portion being within Russian jurisdiction. The 

 Taghdumbash Pamir, situated within the boundaries of the 

 Chinese Empire, is the only one now available to European 

 travellers since the Russian Pamirs were closed to foreigners 

 some years ago — a rule Russia rigorously enforces, keeping 

 jealous watch and ward thereover. 



The chief object of interest attaching to this bleak and in- 

 hospitable land is the Ovis poli, whose horns form one of the 

 finest trophies in the sportsman's collection. This grand sheep, 

 the largest of its class and the size of a donkey, carries long, 

 curved horns, giving it a majestic appearance. The existence of 

 Ovis poll was first made known to the world by that famous 

 traveller, Marco Polo, who traversed the Pamirs more than six 

 hundred years ago, and from whom it derives its name. 



The people met with are the nomad Kirghiz, a tribe distributed 

 over Central Asia, whose origin has been the subject of considerable 

 speculation. The dress of the Kirghiz consists of sheepskin coats 

 and trousers, with leather knee-boots. On the head is worn a fur 

 cap, which can be pulled down over the ears. The women dress 

 in a similar manner, with the exception that coats lined with 

 cotton wool are worn. The headdress is peculiar in that it com- 

 prises a large turban of white cloth, those of the wealthier classes 



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