1866.] Russian Geographical Operations in Asia. 85 
from Baildyr-Tugai to fort Perovski, the river flows in a magnificent 
mass of water between depressed banks of an argilo-salinous and 
sandy character, for the most part inundated at high water; there 
was nowhere either a break in the banks, or a stone, for the observa- 
tion of the geologist. The swamps, after the subsiding of the waters, 
afford excellent pasturage whereon numerous Aouls of Kirghizes settle 
for the winter. In the midst of these meadow patches there occur 
here and there like éslands, sand hillocks differing in height, from 30 
to 40 feet, and overgrown with tamarisk, &c. The dry argilo- 
salinous banks rise from 7 to 10 feet above the level of high water, 
and are covered with tamarisk bushes with thorn (growing high and 
thick), and in some places with the “ Turanga’”’ and “ Dyida.” Nearer 
to our own possessions, large tracts are covered with the ‘ Saxaul.” 
Vegetation is most abundant on. the islands, many of which are two 
miles long. Upon these the “ Djida” grows 4 fathoms high, and the 
thickness of the “ Turanga”’ reaches 10 inches in diameter, Almost 
all the islands are covered with a dense, almost impassable brushwood, 
where the Kirghizes declare there are tigers, drawn thither in pursuit 
of wild boars. The breadth of the river is from 150 to 400 fathoms; 
the depth from 3 to 5 and 6 fathoms; the current ran at a speed of 
7 verstes (42 miles) an hour, the average being from. 43 to 6 verstes (8. 
or 4 miles) ; the water was of a dirty yellow colour, but when allowed 
to settle, was very soft and agreeable to the taste. Admiral Boutakof 
found no evidences of a settled life throughout the whole of the river’s 
course. Patches of soil, cultivated by the poorest of the Kirghizes, 
occurred at extremely rare intervals; and these were irrigated by 
water from canals replenished by hand from the river. The Kirghizes 
generally sow millet, sometimes barley, water-melons, and musk 
melons in their fields. There are two principal reasons for the absence 
of population along the banks of this river: firstly, the absolute want 
of any guarantee for personal security and for the protection of 
property and labour in the face-of perpetual disturbances in Turkestan, 
Tashkend and Khokan; and secondly, the greater advantage of settling 
along the rivulets running from the Kara-tau mountains ; these afford 
better facilities for irrigation than the Syr-Daria, which inundates 
an washes away its banks, and consequently demands an enormous 
amount of labour for the construction and maintenance of the necessary 
oD) 
fash 
