1840.] Russian Mission from Orenbourg to Bokhara. 



63 



and masters of the country ; Turkomans, part of whom cultivate the 

 soil without entirely abandoning their pastoral habits, Cara-calpaks and 

 Aralians, Kirghiz, some Jews, besides the Tadjiks, or fixed inhabitants, 

 of whom we will speak in the description of Bokhara. 



Though the inhabitants of both Khanats are of the same race, lan- 

 guage and religion, the Khivians have not reached so high a state of 

 civilization as their neighbours ; agriculture is less attended to; the 

 habitations inferior; commerce more restricted, and customs more bar- 

 barous. The climate is colder, but the soil and productions are nearly 

 the same as those of Bokhara, but not so abundant in Khiva; silk is not 

 exported and bread generally dearer than at Bokhara. We will hereafter 

 speak of the trade with Russia and the Khanat of Khiva, confining the 

 description at the present moment to the route from Saratchik to 

 Khiva. 



Saratchik to the wells of Belawli, affording an abundant supply of 

 water — 4 marches. 



Some wells are met with between that and the Emba of Djem — 

 3 marches. 



Sulphurous springs of loutch Kanata — 2 marches. 



To Mansoulmas 3 wells and abundance of water — 3 marches. 



Here commence the sandy hills, which cannot be passed in less than 

 nine days, three of which are in very deep sand; water is found every 

 two or three days ; hills called Aiboughour — 9 marches. 



Near these wells runs a river cut from the Aral, and ending in a lake 

 surrounded by sand, no water till within sight of Ourghendj — 3 marches. 



This route, which was performed in twenty-four days, was much more 

 difficult than the one near Aral lake, which is, however, much longer. 

 From Khiva to Bokhara it is 350 verstes.* The Amou is crossed oppo- 

 site new Ourghendj, or at Khanka, distant from it twenty-five verstes, or 

 atKhezarist, fifty verstes; still lower down there is cultivation for about 

 twenty verstes on the banks of the river. The most frequented passage 

 of the Amou in going from Khiva to Bokhara is at Koukertli (sulphur); 

 the right bank of the Amou is here very steep. In leaving Khiva the 

 road lies on the left bank of the river; the cultivation here extends 

 about five verstes from the stream. The sands commence at Koukertli. 

 There is another road by crossing the river at Tchoutchak (Outch- 

 chak) three legged, because these small hills here approach the river. 

 This route is through many sand hills among which are frequently ex- 

 perienced very violent gusts of wind. This is the nearest road. 



* Two hundred and thirty-four miles. 



