HILL T ARK AND. 
101 
wreaths of snow on the pass itself. On both sides 
of the pass we saw hundreds — 1 may safely say 
thousands — of snow pheasants, and we caught one 
alive that was frightened by some large bird of prey. 
The hills on the east, south, and west were almost 
devoid of verdure ; but on the north we looked down 
on a wide undulating valley covered with good 
pasturage, and could just discern the tents of the 
Kirghiz encampment ; but on account of the haze we 
could not see the plains of Yarkand, which are said 
to be visible on a clear day over the top of an inter- 
vening range. The descent on the north side was very 
steep, but was easily accomplished; and about six- 
teen miles from last night's encampment we reached 
Kitchik Yilak, or as the name implies, the summer 
encampment of the Kirghiz. In descending I saw 
great numbers of marmots,* and one of the Kirghiz 
shot three of them for me with his rifle. I also got 
several specimens of a new species of Podoces. 
One of the akooies, or Kirghiz tents, had been 
prepared for our reception, and we found it a remark- 
ably comfortable dwelling. The shape is irregularly 
hemispherical, the walls being composed of lattice- 
work made of willow, in several separate pieces, 
which fold up for the convenience of carriage, and 
outside them is a covering of one or more layers of 
thick felt. In the centre of the roof there is a large 
opening, which can be closed by a fold of felt, and which 
answers the purpose of a window and chimney com- 
bined, the fire being lighted in the centre of the floor. 
* These specimens are described by Dr. Anderson in "Proceedings of Zoological 
Society of London " for June 1871, page 560. 
