1839] Russian Mission from Orenbourg to Bokhara, 155 



where there were the remains of a bridge of reeds, and re-constructed for 

 our convenience of great fagines made of this plant tied together, and 

 laid on cables of the same materials fixed to posts firmly planted into 

 the opposite banks — these famines were attached with strong ropes and 

 a second layer put on. In this manner they formed a bridge, over which 

 camels passed with safety fully loaded; we were not however without 

 fears that the current would carry away this new kind of floating bridge. 



Sometimes in place of reeds they employ bales of cotton so tightly 

 tied, that the water penetrated very little into the material. 



The land between the Sir and Djan-deria is covered with sand-hil- 

 locks of 3 or 4 toises in height, resting on a bed of clay ; after passing an 

 extent of clay-soil, you frequently again enter a tract of sand. 



On leaving the Sir, we crossed a plain covered with reeds, evidently 

 overflowed, which obliged us to make several circuits ; the Kouwan 

 which we followed for 4 days, flows in a clear stream, through beds of 

 sand, which extend to 25 verstes of the place ; we passed it, on going to 

 Bokhara; and it approaches much nearer in some places. On our return, 

 we came on the banks of the Aralu-Koullar, lakes which run parallel 

 to the Kouwan, to the place where the Djan-deria detaches itself ; some 

 of the sheets of water are nearly 10 verstes in circumference, whilst others 

 are mere holes filled with water— they dry up in summer, and the beds 

 are then cultivated by the Kirghiz. 



This is the least barren part of the steppe, and the marks of extensive 

 cultivation arest.il! seen in fields which were tilled by the Cara-calpaks, 

 as late as 1803. These people, of the same race as the Kalmouks, poor 

 and powerless, were unable to resist the incessant incursions of the Kir- 

 ghiz. After having in vain solicited the aid of Russia, Khiva and 

 Bokhara, they abandoned their fertile fields, and removed into the terri- 

 tories of Khiva and Bokhara; thus divided, they now wander, one party to 

 the south of the lake of Aral, subject to Khiva, the other under the domi- 

 nion of Bokhara, have their station to the west of Samarcand, and north 

 of Sarewchan. Not being rich, and possessing few camels, they use 

 carts drawn by oxen or horses. 



The Djan-deria is bounded on each side by plains of clay, here and 

 there intersected by sand-hills, which extend to the Kouwan and Kizil- 

 coum. 



In this plain there are several thickets of the saksaouh, affording 

 cover to different kinds of beasts of prey; wolves, tiger cats, and even 

 tigers. The Kirghiz informed us that they have been obliged to with' 

 draw their flocks from this quarter, to prevent their being destroyed by 

 these animals, not venturing to attack them when they are in numbers 



