1840.] 



Russian Mission from Orenbourg to Bokhara. 



61 



diseases of the chest are seldom felt, and the small pox is unknown. 

 The Kirghiz, however, who come to Russia, are particularly subject 

 to take the infection ; as likewise in Bokhara, where it sometimes 

 exists. The Kirghis have a great dread of this disease and with rea- 

 son, as they generally take it at an advanced age, when it becomes most 

 dangerous. 



It is a great mistake to suppose the steppes of the Kirghis enjoy a 

 cool or temperate climate. The heat is excessive, and the clay plains, 

 or burning sandy deserts, retain a long time the heat, more so from the 

 total absence of shade or vegetation. 



In the commencement of May, the heat had already become almost 

 unbearable. We moved with difficulty ; all animals had sought what 

 shelter they could find, and there reigned a dead silence. Dew is sel- 

 dom known at this season, and towards the end of April the grass is 

 already burnt up. In the month of June 1821, the thermometer at 

 Orenbourgh rose 49° (Reaum) in the sun, and was 27° at iO p. m. In the 

 winter it often fell to 30°. The Kirghiz during the summer go 

 almost naked ; wrapping the skin cloak round the middle, leaving the 

 back and upper part of the body exposed during the time tLey are at work. 



To these burning sjimmers succeed very severe cold in winter, but 

 are more temperate to the south of the Moughodjar mountains and 

 deserts of the Cara-coum. 



Chapter III. 



Khanat of Kliiva— -"Route from Saratchik to Khiva — Khanat ofKhokhan-^ 

 Wild Kirghiz — Mountains of Ala-tagh. 



It is not necessary to dilate much on the Khanat of Khiva,* M. Mora- 

 viev, who visited it in 1820, having published a detailed account of his 

 journey. A daughter of Abulfaiz of Bokhara, contemporary of Nadir 

 Shah, married the Khan of Khiva, named Kaip, of a Kirghiz family, 

 from whom is descended Mohammed-Rahim, now governor, who is as 

 enterprising as fortunate. He bas succeeded in bringing under subjec- 

 tion many of the Turkoman tribes, situated to the south-east and west of 

 his dominions. His power at present extends from the shores of the 

 Caspian to the boundaries of Bokhara; the city of Khezarist or Hizarasp 



* Khiva was built after the destruction of Urgung, once a great and powerful city, and 

 capital of the kingdom of Kharasra, which Khiva now i^.— Translator. 



