URUMCHI. 287 



recently explored its eastern chains, the whole subject 

 requires further investigation. The following is the trans- 

 lation : — 



The name Urumtsi or Urumchi is the Dzungarian for a 

 wood suitable for a battue. Its official name, as the central 

 place of administration for convict settlements, is Ti-hwa- 

 chau, but it is better known in the commercial world by 

 the name of Hung-miau-tsz, i.e. 'red temple,' after a pagoda 

 outside the town painted red. Urumchi is situated at the 

 foot of a western spur of the Bogdo-ula, whose triple peak 

 is visible some distance off, and in whose honour sacrifices 

 are annually offered up from a hill in the immediate vicinity 

 of the town. 



Urumchi consists of two parts : the old, or commercial, 

 situated on the right bank of the river, on the slope of the 

 mountain ; and the new or Manchu town, placed on low 

 ground near some springs. 



The climate is severe, less so, however, since it has been 

 inhabited by a settled population. Rain falls very rarely, 

 not oftener than once or twice a year, and some years not 

 even that, but snow falls in quantities, and lies so thickly 

 on the ground as sometimes to block the communications. 

 The inhabitants supply themselves with water from the 

 streams issuing from the mountains fed by the meltino- 

 snows ; and from wells, which are easily dug owing to the 

 vertical disposition of the strata. The fields are artifi- 

 cially irrigated. Near the town are some hot sulphur 

 springs. 



The district of Urumchi extends westward alono- a 

 valley watered by the streams flowing from the Thian 

 Shan mountains and afterwards discharging into a great 

 marsh, whence there is no outflow. This is called VcJi-i-hu 

 or Vch-i-taii, i.e. the ' reed marsh.' It is overgrown with 

 reeds, and is several hundred li in extent from east to 

 west, foiming a barrier to the north of the district. What 

 there is to the north of this again no one can say, for no- 

 body ever set foot there. Popular superstition has it that 

 this is the breeding ground of the locust, although this 



