70 Hussian Mission from Orenhourg to Bokhara. [Jaj?, 



We are informed in the excellent work by M. Ritter, tbat the 

 easiest passage among the mountains to the north of Kacli^-iiar is near 

 Aksou. 1 ascertained the irutli of this statement ; nevertheless the ca- 

 ravans always go round, and have good reasons for taking another road* 



In going from Kouldja to Ak^ou they keep near the Chinese frontier, 

 because they are sure of not being pillaged. In the same way, the 

 caravans from Khiva, when they go to Orenbourg, pass by Saratchik or 

 Sarat' hikova, and afterwards keep along by the Onral, instead of going 

 from Kliiva to Orenbourg by crossing rhe steppe of the Khirghiz. 



From Kouldja to Seniipalatin!-k, the widest river is the Alaghouz; it 

 flows to the north of the Tarbaghatai hills; the highest mountains are 

 the Tchonlk-caraghai, 100 verstes from Kouldja; it takes two days to 

 cross ihem. 



There are two Kouldjas, the great and little; both situated on the 

 Ily, and about forty verstes from each other. The caravans pass by 

 Jittie Kouldja, which lies to the north of the other. It is a fort with- 

 out the sligtitest resemblance to those of Bokhara. It is more like an 

 European foriification, having projecting angles and a species of 

 bastion: a gun fi e.s at sun-set, and the gates are immediately closed. 

 Ttte governor of the place has the title of Dziangghioun, and th? police 

 master thnt of Kalatai. Three Kirghiz and five Chinese had been be- 

 headed for various crimes in the course of three months. Near the 

 temples are idols of different sizes, made of clay, with embroidered 

 dresses, and their hands folded over the stomach. Inside the temples 

 the idols are generally of gold, enclosed in glass cases; bread is 

 placed before them. 



Kouldja, in the Chinese Dzoungarie, is defended by a garrison of 

 about 10,000 Tchanpan, or Chinese foot soldiers. This town has six 

 gates, and contains about 9000 houses, built of mud or wood. There 

 are also some built of stone, and they all have roofs like Russian 

 houses. Kouldja i.-, not surrounded by fields; there are half a dozen 

 villages inhabited by Chinese, at about thirty verstes from the town. 



The Talku mout) tains are covered with magnificent forests, which 

 supply Kouldja with wood. Generally speaking, the Kalmouks in tiiis 

 country are wandering tribes; a few have taken service under the 

 Chinese, but in general there are very few with fixed orcupations. 



Besides the Dounganu-Tartars, a great number of Chinese are found 

 at Kouldja : tliey are distinguished from the Kitaizi, or black Chinese, 

 whose women have small feet 



Near Kouldja the Hy is hardly more than 100 feet wide, and It majr 

 be forded in most places. 



