1839] 



Russian Mission from Orenlourg to Bokhara. 



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koudouk on the road we followed, and extends about thirty-four verstes 

 to Kapkantach, when we again entered the plain, leaving on the left the 

 Bech-boulak, or Bukbouidouk, a low hill. Bakbouldouk signifies 

 a quail, a word invented by the Kirghiz, in imitation of the cry of that 

 bird. 



At Kapkantach, there are several sulphureous springs, with a strong 

 smell, and very saltish ; our horses would hardly drink it, but on our return 

 in the spring, ahorse emptied five buckets of this nauseous water. As 

 the weather was very hot even at this season, the men suffered from 

 thirst, and we had great difficulty to prevent, even for a few minutes, 

 our soldiers from drinking this detestable liquid, which at the same time 

 was very cool. 



At twenty-two verstes from Kapkantach, commences the sands of 

 Batkak-coum, which are twenty-eight verstes broad — there are, however, 

 only the four last w 7 hich are heavy — twenty-six verstes from these 

 sands, we again entered a hilly country, which is called Sousiz-cara, 

 (black without water). These hills are in fact of a black colour; the 

 surface perfectly bare, water is found in two wells, which we left ten 

 verstes to our left. Our water being expended, we made use of the 

 snow which lay in our route, principally on the hills, where, notwith- 

 standing their slight elevation, we experienced a very sensible change 

 in the temperature. We at last arrived at Cara-aghatch, after having per- 

 formed the last forty verstes over a flat country, though surrounded with 

 hills. 



Two verstes from Cara-aghatch, four custom-house officers met the 

 mission, and after a salutation, addressed us the usual compliments of 

 hhoch amedid (you are welcome), informing us that the khan had sent 

 provisions for us to Aghatma, distant thirty-eight verstes from Cara- 

 aghatch. Monsieur Negri politely expressed our gratitude, we resumed 

 our journey and arrived with these officers at Cara-aghatch. 



It was in this place we saw for the first time trees ; about a hundred 

 old mulberry bashes growing round a spring of sulphureous water — the 

 heat of which was nearly 15 degrees of Reaumur, 66° Fahrenheit. Some 

 Mahomedan saint planted these trees— near which he had lived, and is 

 b.uried there. 



The water is said to possess some miraculous qualities ; all the Maho- 

 medans of our party bathed in it. The spring issues from a low hill of 

 clay, and all the bushes are covered with pieces of cloth and rags tied 

 on the branches as an offering to the saint. 



The water of this spring is very abundant, forming a little brook, 

 which is however soon lost in the clay soil. Notwithstanding we had 



