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0080 Scientific Results of a Journey in Central Asia, 1899-1902 : vol.1
Scientific Results of a Journey in Central Asia, 1899-1902 : vol.1 / Page 80 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

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[Figure] Fig. 54 PROFILE OF TSCHOKA-TAGH; TO THE LEFT IS TSCHÖL-KÖL.

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doi: 10.20676/00000216
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46   THE TARIM RIVER.

that line the scree began to rise at an angle of 3°, the surface being strewn with sharp-edged gravel and furrowed by innumerable tiny torrents, which become more and more split up and divided like dried up deltas in proportion as they approach the shore. In the upper parts of the scree these rivulets have cut their way down to a depth of 1 m., and their sides are vertical. This proves unmistakably, that heavy and violent rains do fall there sometimes, though it happens no doubt extremely seldom. Here we found some tamarisks; and as we advanced, the surface became more broken and irregular. The main ridge, which is flanked by smaller parallel crests, attains an altitude of about 200 or 25o m. The rock formation is that already described, and it had a dip of 31° to the N. 50° E.

Fig. 54. PROFILE OF TSCHOKA-TAGH; TO THE LEFT IS TSCHÖL-KÖL.

From the top we commanded a bird's-eye view of the lake. It was long and narrow, though at the same time broader than I supposed it to be in 1895, when it had the appearance of a mere fringe along the foot of the mountain. Now, however, I perceived that it actually lies nearer to the Tusluk-tagh than to the Tschokatagh (see map I in Petei-rn. Mitt., Ergänzhft 13 I). The southern extremity of the lake, which I travelled round in 1895, appeared to present precisely the same outline as on that occasion. There is a low-pitched gravelly scree at the foot of the Tschoka-tagh, corresponding to that at the eastern foot of the Tusluk-tagh, and it is approached pretty closely by the high sand-dunes of the desert, only a narrow belt of schor separating the two. Although we passed a stretch of dead forest, with sapless trunks, we did not come upon living forest until we reached the Sajköl. The eastern side of the Tschoka-tagh is much steeper than the western side, which presents a long and gradual ascent.

October 8th. During the last 46 hours the river dropped 4 cm. The transparency measured 34.5 cm. yesterday, and 38 cm. to-day. The stream was gradually clearing in consequence of the diminishing volume and slower rate of flow, the latter circumstance being also a consequence of the former. Another factor which likewise contributed to increased transparency was the seasonal fall in the temperature.

At first, after we started again, the river was broad, with a slow current, and after describing a long loop, it washes on the right the foot of the Saj-tagh, only leaving room for a sheep-track and a few young poplars. The flank which the mountain turns towards the river goes down at an angle of 34°, and consists of bare rock; whereas the eastern slope is buried under drift-sand. The disposition of the strata was easily distinguishable: they crop out in black bands and projecting cornices everywhere on the mountain sides, and lie at an angle of 47° to the S. 75° E. The axis of the Saj-tagh stretches north and south, and is continued in the former direction by a small chain of lower heights, all abutting immediately upon the river, which is thus compelled by them to describe a long detour or loop to the north. The first bluff we