JCfd 



TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 



vs^ It was at one of the meetings of the Russian 

 ?^ Geographical Society in the winter of 1873-74 that 

 V Colonel Prejevalsky, then recently returned from 



^ his travels, first gave an account of his adventures 



and experiences in the heart of Asia. 

 ■^ Being personally acquainted with him, and hear- 



ing that he was seeking a publisher for an English 

 t version of his work, the idea suggested itself to me 

 ^. of becoming the means of making known to English 

 S readers these Russian explorations in countries of 

 ^ daily growing interest. The task, however, would 

 have been a difficult one had I not succeeded in 

 ^ securing the all-valuable co-operation of Colonel 

 > - Yule, who from beginning to end has assisted me 

 '^^^ by his ready advice, suggestions, and amendments. 

 "^ To Dr. Hooker, President of the Royal Society, 

 \ my warmest thanks are also due for his kindness 



S in revising the names of plants. 



^ Most of the illustrations are from photographs 



■*^ lent by Baron Fr. Osten Sacken, late President of 

 the physical section of the Imp. Geog. Soc, and 

 well known in Europe as geographer, explorer, and 

 botanist. He has also furnished the plates ' Ovis 



4250'?'7 



