1835.] the capital of little Tibet. 593 



Extent. — In length, the territory of Iskdrdoh is estimated to be a 

 journey uf 1 1 days, and its average breadth about nine days' journey. 

 On the east it is bounded by Laddkh, which is a journey of 1 1 days 

 from the capital ; and on the west, by Gilget, a journey of nine days. 

 Ydrqand bounds it on the north at a distance of 12 days' journey, and 

 Kashmir, on the south, a journey of nine days*. 



Climate. — The valleys which intersect the country are warm, but 

 free from the excessive heats of summer ; and though cold in 

 many places, partake of a more uniform and temperate climate, than 

 might be inferred from their extreme elevation. During the winter 

 months, the snow lies in the city about three spans in depth. It 

 snows, but never rains. The atmosphere throughout the year is 

 stated to be remarkably dry and clear. On the summits of the neigh- 

 bouring mountains, the snow is perpetual. 



Vegetable and mineral productions. — Its vegetable productions are 

 nearly the same, but not so exuberant as those of Kashmir. There 

 are a few trees, such as the plane, poplar, and willow, which grow to 

 a considerable size. It produces every kind of fruit peculiar to a 

 cold climate, such as plumbs, cherries, apricots, currants, walnuts, &c. 

 An oil is extracted from the kernel of the apricot, which is universally 

 used by the people for culinary and other purposes. The country 

 abounds with rhubarb and asafoetida. Among the mineral produc- 

 tions may be named gold, sulphur, arsenic, and Sohan Makhi, which 

 are found in the Shakar district. In Revend also, there are mines of 

 gold, arsenic, crystal, and Sohan Makhi ; and in the district of Bar aldoh, 

 there is a sulphur mine, the effluvia of which is so strong as to be 

 suffocating to those who approach it. A stone called Murddr Sangh, 

 said to possess an antipoisonous quality, is found in some places. 

 Forwards, the western extremity of Shakar, on the bank of a stream 

 which comes from the Nagar territory, there is a hot spring ; by bathing 

 a few days in the water of which, persons who are subject to rheumatic 

 affections or cutaneous disorders are sure of being cured, particularly 

 those who are infected with disorders of the latter kind. On the top 

 of the hill, which is situated near this spring, stands a Chilld or cell, 

 where the superstitious Muhammedans are in the habit of worshipping 

 the diet) in abstraction for 40 days, during which they take no other 

 food than a few grains of barley and the smallest possible quantity of 

 water, consistent with the support of lifef. The shrine was built by 

 Shah Nasir Amam Syed Khusro. To the north of Hazard, in the 



* A day's journey averages about 15 miles. 



f A form of penitence common in other Muhammedau countries, 



