ACROSS DZUNGARIA 541 



on the north is three or four miles, and that on the 

 south six or seven miles in length. All are in a state 

 of retreat, more especially those on the southern side. 

 This glaciated chain extends over a distance of 145 miles. 



It was with reluctance that we left the beautiful 

 Bogdo-ola and started on the stage of our journey which 

 led us across the hot, monotonous plains of Central Dzun- 

 garia. Passing again through Urumchi and on to Manas, 

 we could well have continued our route by the main road 

 which crosses the plain between Shi-Kho and Chuguchak ; 

 but, in order to obtain an idea of the heart of the land, 

 we determined to follow a line north from Manas. The 

 main route is well known ; it crosses a low-lying desert - 

 belt, and is remarkable at this season onh^ for heat and 

 mosquitoes ; there is little information to be obtained 

 and few physical features to be studied. By going 

 north from Manas, however, and following the Manas 

 River, we hoped to arrive at our goal, the Jair and 

 Barlik Ranges, by a less-known and more interesting 

 route. 



The Manas is the chief river of Southern Dzungaria ; 

 this river alone, of the countless streams which descend 

 into the plains from the snow-clad ranges, forms a water- 

 way of sufficient size to outlive the toll that is taken of its 

 water in the irrigated area, and to continue to flow on, — a. 

 silent, sluggish stream, destined to form many mires and 

 swamps before finally evaporating. The course of the 

 Manas River suggests the most natural route northwards 

 across the arid plains ; and in time to come, when the 

 region is more fully developed, this will no doubt become 

 a highway able to compete with the present Shi-Kho 

 road ; for it will have not only the advantage of a better 

 water-supply, but will also tap the traffic of a richer 



