CENTRAL ASIAN EXPLORATION 17 
another, the present one, which is supposed to be of 
comparatively recent formation. 
T he most probable explanation is that, besides the two 
reservoirs visited by Przhevalsky (the Kara-buran and 
^ara-kurchin, i.e., Kara-koshun), there is yet a third, into 
ich an arm of the Tarim debouches. No Chinese map 
Slows a southern branch of the Tarim; but a large lake 
IS indicated on latitude 41° N., i.e., in the direct line of 
continuation of the Tarim, and is called on the 
^°P'nor. The circumstance, among other things, 
*• at 1 rzhevalsky did not find the name of Lop-nor in 
l^se also points to the same conclusion. On the other 
an , he did hear the name in use for that part of the 
arim which lies east of where the real Lop-nor 
should be. 
Another important argument is implicit in the fact 
at tne Tarim, at its confluence with the Ughen-daria, 
as a breadth of three hundred to three hundred and 
sixty feet, and a strong current ; but below the junction 
® all its various tributaries a breadth of only one hundred 
^ eighty to two hundred and ten feet, and a slow 
current. It is possible that, when Przhevalsky journeyed 
amongst these tributaries, or rather anastomosing arms, 
c most easterly branch discharged a part of its water 
eastwards through another and separate channel into the 
luaccessible salt desert, and that the traveller overlooked 
"•IS channel. Von Richthofen concludes his investigation 
^ith the words, “ However highly we may value what 
rzhevalsky has done towards the exploration of the 
^ op-nor, we cannot consider that the problem, for the 
of which he underwent such great hardships, is as 
yet definitively solved.” 
he three expeditions of Carey and Dalgleish, Bonvalot 
Henry of Orleans, and Pievtsoff, each of which 
Visited Lop-nor since Przhevalsky, have not added to 
tha of this remarkable lake, for the reason 
^ they all followed the same route that he took. 
c solution of the Lop-nor question is still a desider- 
tum for all who are interested in the g'eography of Asia. 
