FROM THE ALTAI TO THE ILI 419 



tains — an easterly extension of the Tarbagatai — were not 

 explored by our party, but it was noticed that they formed 

 the southern limit of the Siberian larch. Between these 

 ranges, the Barlik and the Sair, are other mountain-groups 

 which must at one period have formed a chain of islands 

 in a wide strait, connecting the northern sea with the 

 seas of Central Asia ; the Dzungarian Gate was merely 

 a strait between one of the islands (the Barlik) and the 

 mainland of Ala-tau." 



Remarkable as are the geological and geographical 

 features of the Dzungarian Gate, its historical aspect 

 also lays a claim to our interest. Such a scene as the 

 Dzungarian Gate presents to the onlooker appeals most 

 strongly to the imagination. One is tempted to look 

 back into the past, and conjure up the scenes of which 

 this great natural highway must have been a silent 

 witness. This special route must have been the one 

 through which the invading hordes of Asiatics marched 

 w^estwards ; every succeeding wave of migration that 

 swept across Asia must have passed through these narrow 

 *' straits." This was the natural route for merchants, 

 caravans, and for all nations on migration bent ; no small 

 part has this deep-cut gorge played in the history of 

 Asia and even of Europe. It requires but a stretch of 

 imagination to recall the thundering tramp of passing 

 armies and to hear the strain of wild barbaric 

 music, as savage hosts of Huns, Mongols, and Turks — 

 filled with lust of conquest — moved westwards, eager 

 for the spoil of the great cities of the Turkestan plains 

 lying beyond the mountain-barrier, the Dzungarian 

 Gate alone allowing these mounted troops to continue, 

 unhindered, their conquering way. Samarkand, Bok- 

 hara, Persia, Russia, lay beyond ; the plains, their own 



