ASIA 3 



from the Caspian to the Sea of Okhotsk, drain the winds 

 of their last traces of moisture. 



This moisture, deposited as spring rain or, in large 

 proportion, as winter snow, causes a fairly continuous 

 line of highland oases, the more marvellous in contrast 



Fig. 1. Physical Features of Asia. 



with the surrounding lowland deserts. At the same 

 time, the snow-fed streams, before losing themselves 

 among the sands of the plains, fertilize a stretch of 

 country at the foot of the mountains ; and of this alluvial 

 belt, even before the dawn of history, advantage was 

 taken by man. The influence of these lofty Asiatic 



b 2 



