402 
TIBET. 
at six o'clock in the morning, below the freezing point, and the ground 
partially covered with snow. 
Sept. 16. Road to Chain™. Continued on the plain; found three 
springs forcing their' way through the ground with violence, and 
giving rise to a lake many miles in extent, stored with millions of 
water-fowl and excellent fish. Of the first, saw the cyrus, solan 
geese, many kinds of ducks, pintados, cranes, and gulls of different, 
sorts. The springs of this lake are in great reputation for the cure of 
most diseases. I examined the water, and found it contained a portion 
of alum with the selenitic earth. On the banks of the lake, I found a 
crystallization, which proved to be an alkaline salt; it is used by the 
natives for washing, and answers the purpose as well as pot-ash. The 
pasture, which is impregnated with this salt, is greedily sought after 
by sheep and goats, and proves excellent food for them. The hills are 
chiefly composed of sand, incrusted by the inclemency of the wea¬ 
ther and violent winds, seeming, at first view, composed of free¬ 
stone. 
Sept. 17. Road to Simadar x . Passed a lake still more considerable 
than the former, with which it communicates by a narrow stream, 
about three miles long. There never was a more barren or unpromis¬ 
ing soil; little turf, grass, or vegetable of any sort, except near the 
lake. Saw a few huts, mostly in ruins and deserted. The only grain 
in this part of the country is barley, which they were cutting down 
every where green. 
Passed two springs, one of them slightly impregnated with alum. 
w Chaloo. 
* Sumdta. 
