606 
FINISHES THE CIRCUIT OF THE LAKE. 
On reaching Alibegloo, I had virtually made the circuit of the 
lake; and, according to the best of my observations, I should 
calculate its extreme length from north to south to be about 89 
miles; and its breadth (which is nearly the same all the way 
southward of the great island,) does not exceed 32 miles. From 
the great island, or rather peninsula, it narrows exceedingly 
immediately opposite Goorchin Kala, where it bays in consi¬ 
derably to the north-west; so that I should judge its circum¬ 
ference to produce nearly 240 miles. The island or peninsula 
of Shahy, (whence the lake takes a rival name to that of Ou- 
roomia,) is the only inhabited spot that rises from its surface. 
This mountainous mass of rock and wooded hills possesses one 
village in tolerable population ; but, I am told, there are several 
others in complete ruin and desertion ; and also the remains of 
a strong old fortress. The island abounds in fine trees, wild 
goats, antelopes, and wild fowl of various kinds. 
September 16th. — This morning we started with the rising 
sun; and continuing on a course S. 60° E., over the widening 
valley, found it gradually expand into a vast plain. The lake 
was now left far behind ; and an hour’s ride brought us to the 
village of Koshkiffandi. Two miles led us through that of Shin- 
dara; near which stands a very large mound of earth, excavated 
on all sides, and very deeply, by the inhabitants, for the purpose 
of making bricks of its clay for the erection of their poor little 
houses. The consequent broken ground, taking all sorts of ir¬ 
regular shapes within the huge scooping out of its body, at a 
little distance gives the whole the singular appearance of a ruined 
amphitheatre. In former times it, probably, has also been one of 
the Mithratic high places, the name it now bears being the Gaur- 
Teppa; Gaur is a corruption of Gueber, and therefore means 
