THROUGH ASIA 
276 
to form the Kara-su (the Black Water), a tolerably large 
stream, or the Tagharma-su (the Apple-Mountain Water), 
which effects a junction with the Yarkand-daria by way of 
Tash-kurgan. A large number of Kirghiz dwelt on the 
plain ; the yeylaus (summer camps) of the district enjoyed 
an excellent repute. 
The 6th July was a day of rest. The heat was very 
oppressive at noon, the thermometer registering 89 6 Fahr. 
(32° C.) inside the tent, and \2f\ (53° C.) outside m 
the sandy soil. The black -bulb insolation thermometer 
rose as high as i 6 o °4 (7 i°3 C.). Not only does the plain 
itself, in virtue of its great extent, absorb an enormous 
quantity of heat, it is also open towards the south and 
slopes in that direction. The sky was as pure as crystal, 
except that a very few light fleecy clouds hoverecl about 
the mountain-tops. The atmosphere trembled and vibrated 
with the heat that was radiated upwards. A fine gossamer- 
like haze hung over the surface of the ground. Our camp 
was situated at an altitude of 10,620 feet. 
The rainfall in the plain of 1 agharma presents a strong 
contrast to the rainfall in the glens by which w'e had 
penetrated through the mountain-spurs of the Mus-tagh. 
In the former the quantity of rain which falls is inconsider- 
able. When it does rain, it comes in gusts lasting about a 
couple of hours at a time. The season for it to come is 
the spring. The amount of snowfall is also small, and 
is spread over barely three months. The winters are 
extremely cold ; but owing to the clear, dry atmosphere, 
the newly-fallen snow disappears very quickly. 
The great amount of radiation, and the plenteous natural 
irrigation, foster vegetation to an extraordinary degree. 
The plain was carpeted with luxuriant grass, thick in 
bottom growth, diversified by' moist verdant tussocks, and 
enlivened by the music of running brooks and springs. 
Herds of grazing yaks and sheep roamed all over it; and 
here and there the eye caught glimpses of the cosy Kirghiz 
auls. In the valleys farther east we had experienced frost 
at night. On the plain of Tagharma even the nights were 
warm. And not warm only : they were also silent and 
