524 THE KARLIK TAGH 



Approaching the lake after a four-mile ride from 

 Tomdun, we discovered that it was surrounded by a 

 treacherous salt-bog, and the water was the most saline 

 we had ever experienced. An analysis of this water from 

 the lagoons at the eastern end of Tur Kul showed that 

 it contained 34 per cent, of salt, and in comparison 

 I may mention that the water of the Dead Sea, — ^the 

 " most saline of all the world's important lakes," — 

 contains only 25 per cent. A thermometer boiled in 

 this water made the altitude of the lake at sea-level ! 

 and it was not until we found fresh water some miles 

 to the east — ^where it first appeared above ground, that 

 we obtained a correct boiling-point reading for altitude. 

 The salinity, however, did not appear to affect the bird- 

 life. We chanced to be there, on the first occasion, 

 during a spell of bad, stormy weather, when the lake 

 was alive with myriads of wild-fowl, which had sought 

 refuge there from the more exposed water of Bar Kul. 

 Wild swans, geese, sheldrake, mallard, teal, and pintail 

 were constantly on the move between the salt lake and 

 the fresh-water marshes, from which they w^ere continu- 

 ally harried b}^ native hunters. When we attempted a 

 serious attack on the wild-fowl, a few days later, armed 

 with guns, and accompanied by beaters, we found the 

 lake absolutely deserted ! The natives said they came 

 but rarely, and only stayed for a night at the most, 

 for " the}/ did not like the water." I think, however, 

 they only come here under stress of bad weather and 

 depart again at the earliest moment, owing to their 

 cramped surroundings. 



At Tomdun we divided forces, Miller travelling witli 

 the main caravan direct to the Barkul basin, whilst I 

 turned south in order to finish off my survey of the 



