THE KARLIK TAGH 521 



and running streams, with herds of wild-game such as 

 sheep and roe-deer. 



As we travelled round the eastern spurs we visited 

 Tal, the summer quarters of the men of Mogoi, whilst 

 our heavy kit, packed on camels, followed an easier track 

 along the foot of the hills to Uturuk, on the northern side 

 of the Karlik Tagh. Settlements of Taghliks were few 

 and far between, after leaving Shopoli. A few, such as 

 Mogoi, Bai, Uturuk, Adak, and Nom, existed on streams 

 draining northwards, — the last examples of sedentary 

 life on the edge of the nomad's land of Mongolia. For 

 the most part we had left settled life behind, and, upon 



4r«Tton ScmOi StRtnt« XCe/l North 



atOOFT ? . '" 



A SECTION OF THE KARIJK TAGH FROM NCF?TH TO SOUTH THROUGH THE CEMTRAL PORTIOM OF THE RANGE 



reaching the northern flanks of Karlik Tagh, found large 

 areas either entirely uninhabited or partially used by 

 nomads. 



The different formation of the northern side of the 

 range was demonstrated by the fact of its being a fine 

 pasture-land. The rugged, barren, desiccated rock- 

 region of the southern side was replaced on the north 

 by a smooth plateau of rolling downs, which occupied 

 the whole area between 8,000 ft. and 11,000 ft. In con- 

 sequence, we were enabled to travel comfortably along the 

 range at an altitude of 10,000 ft. to 11,000 ft. Above us, 

 rounded spurs and shale slopes led up to the main ridge. 



