1866.] Russian Geographical Operations in Asia. 81 



regions of Central Asia to go to China, as well as to Russia. On a 

 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 I 'ass, 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 Kitchkine 

 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. 1st, 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 sagencs (or 1750 

 feet) to the inch. 2nd, From the river Talas, crossing mount KaraBoura, 

 to the river Tchotkala (Tchirtchik). 3rd, The marching roads along the 

 valley of the Arys, and those from Tchcmkent to Aoulieta, also from 

 Tcholak Kourgen to Aoulieta, have been drawn on the scale of 5 

 verstes to the inch. 4thly, Plans of the forts of Tokmak, Mcrke and 

 Aoulieta have been drawn out, on a scale of 250 sagenes to the 

 inch. 



We have received from M. Besae, 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 reconnoitcred, and 2. ',100 triangulated. During 



