1866. | Russian Geographical Operations in Asia. SI 
regions of Central Asia to go to China, as well as to Russia. Ona 
branch of this road, which stretches towards the north-west, at a 
junction of the roads of Orenbourgh, Troitsk and Oufa, is situated 
the town of Turkestan which encloses within its walls a sacred edifice, 
the mosque built over the tomb of Azret Sultan. 
Passing now to the topographical operations executed in these Kir- 
ghise steppes of Siberia, we will mention the surveys that were effected 
on the western borders of China, under the direction of Colonel Babkow. 
These operations embrace two distinct circles,—the northern parts of 
the Tarbagatai mountains, and the valley of the river Borokhoudzir. 
In the first of these circles, Captain Nifantiew of the Topographical 
Corps, surveyed the region that is bounded on the west by the road 
which crosses the Khabar Assou Pass, and by the course of the river 
Tamyrysk ; on the south, by the chain of the Tarbagatai; on the east, 
by the line of the Chinese posts, and on the north, by the Kitchkiné 
Taou mountains, branches of the Manak, and of the Tarbagatai. This 
region includes an area of 5,270 square verstes. 
In the country beyond the river Tchou, the topographers who 
formed part of the detachment with the expedition, surveyed the 
following localities. Ist, From the post of Kastek, by the pass of the 
same name, to the mouths of the little Kebin, and thence re-ascending 
the river Tchou, to the mouths of the great Kebin, then 40 verstes 
of the lower course of this last river. Then again, from the mouths 
of the little Kebin, along the river Tchou, to the ford of Tchoumitch. 
All these surveys have been. mapped on a scale of 250 sagénes (or 1750 
feet) tothe inch. 2nd, From the river Talas, crossing mount Kara Boura, 
to the river Tchotkala (Tchirtchik). 8rd, The marching roads along the 
valley of the Arys, and those from Tchemkent to Aouliéta, also from 
Tcholak Kourgen to Aouliéta, have been drawn on the scale of 5 
verstes to the inch. 4thly, Plans of the forts of Tokmak, Merke and 
Aouliéta have been drawn out, on ascale of 250 sagenes to the 
inch. 
We have received from M. Bésae, the Aide-de-camp General, a 
map of the topographical operations, executed and projected in the 
country of Orenbourg, from the year 1861 to 1865, with a Memoir. 
The total survey is 17,687 square verstes done in detail, and 3,928 
in half detail ; 168,178 reconnoitered, and 2/,100 triangulated. During 
