INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. xxv 



plants. They also investigated (^e I'isu, for the first time 

 it is believed in modern days, the famous rhubarb plant in 

 its native region. With a view to its cultivation in Russian 

 territory, a quantity of seed was collected. 



The traveller had, even at this point, become sensible 

 that his means were inadequate to carry the party to Lhassa, 

 and had, with a sore heart, to accept the inevitable. But 

 he determined not the less to explore the basin of the 

 great lake Koko-nor, and the Tsaidam region to the SW. 

 of it. 



At this time Sining-fu, Tatung, and Suhchau were in 

 the hands of the Tungani or Chinese Mahommedan insur- 

 gents. Kanchau and Lanchau, with several other cities, 

 were held by the Imperialists. The whole country between 

 the two parties was continually scoured by bands of free- 

 booters, who carried on their devastations beneath the very 

 noses of the Chinese troops. 



The fame of the rifles and skill of the Russians kept 

 the Tungani from all attempts to meddle with them ; and 

 on September 23 they left Chobsen for the Koko-nor, 

 passing right across the country haunted by the rebels. On 

 the march they came on a large body of Tungani, but by 

 putting a bold face on the encounter the little body of 

 Russians utterly discomfited the robbers, луЬо turned tail 

 and fled ignominiously. At last on October 14 they 

 arrived in the basin of the Koko-nor, and pitched their 

 tents on its shores, at some 10,000 feet above the sea. The 

 steppe here is fertile and well peopled with both men and 

 cattle. The people are both Mongol and Tangiitans, re- 

 specting whom a few words will be found in the Supple- 

 mentary Notes to Volume II. 



After purchasing some camels there remained but some 

 forty pounds in pocket. But sure of maintenance from their 

 guns, Prejevalsky resolved to push on. 



A high range of mountains was crossed in quitting the 

 basin of the lake ; and the travellers then entered the 

 region of Tsaidam, which he describes as a vast salt-marsh, 

 covered with reeds, as if recently the bed of a great lake. 



