THE HOANG-HO. 187 



solution of clay suspended in the water does no 

 harm, if the water be allowed to settle a little before 

 use. 



The depth of the Hoang-ho is nearly uniform 

 throughout, varying according to the high or low 

 level of the river. I measured the лvidth opposite 

 the town of Ding-hu with a compass, and found it to 

 be 1,421 feet. Opposite Bautu I had no opportunity 

 of measuring it, owing to the strict watch which the 

 Chinese kept on us during the crossing. But, when 

 the waters are at an average height, its width there 

 is much the same, perhaps a little broader. The 

 depth of the river is considerable, and it is unford- 

 able in any part ; it could be easily navigated by 

 river steamers. At all events, large boats constantly 

 pass backwards and forwards with supplies for the 

 Chinese garrisons on its left bank. The voyage 

 from Bautu to Ning-hia-fu is said to take forty days, 

 whereas only seven days are required to float down 

 stream between these points. 



In that part of its course which we surveyed, the 

 Hoang-ho is not subject to inundations, but flows 

 between low level banks ; the clayey soil and rapid 

 current accounting for the constant abrasion and 

 falling in of its banks. 



From the meridian of the westernmost end of the 

 Munni-ula mountains several channels, 170 to 290 

 feet Avide, separate on either bank from the main 

 river, soon uniting again with the parent stream ; 

 only one, the Baga-khatun, continues to flow in an 

 independent stream for some distance to the east. 



