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0276 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 276 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

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[Figure] Fig. 156. Old Tarim, June 1.

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doi: 10.20676/00000216
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190   THE TARIM RIVER.

and the actual inflow into the river was nil. The lower reaches of the Putalik-köl are crowded with water-lilies, which are gathered by men from Turfan, to be used as a remedy against fever.* Four years previously a very considerable quantity of the water of the Tarim used to flow through the Putalik-köl and its kok-ala, and this was the route always chosen by canoes, especially when paddling up-stream, for in this way they were able to avoid the adverse current. But in proportion as the Laschin-darja increased, so did this Putalik-köl arm decrease. On the left we passed three small canals, which only as late as the previous autumn supplied water to the wheat-fields of Tinatschini-kölidake-osasi, lying opposite to Basch-arghan. At the time we passed, the ends of these canals stood I m. above the level of the river, but it was hoped that the autumn flood would rise sufficiently high to renew their supply. On the same side of the river we noted a dune, with vegetation, known as Muhamede-karaul-dung, and opposite to it on the right bank a deserted hut bearing the same name. Poplar woods are again quite common, especially on the right bank; the trees, which are handsome and of good maturity, are mingled with tamarisks and grow amongst low connected dunes. There is an abundance of dead wood and broken branches littering the ground. On the right we have Muhamede-godsche-

Fig. r56. Left. I.53 I.42 1.43 I.so 1.49 I.30 X.02 0.75 0.7o = depth. Right.

31 7o 79 68 68 62 63 58 45

56 62 8o 71 72 52 49 49 ~9 velocity. 58 7o 64 90 7o 55 51 55 71 68 68 65

Breadth = 33.7 m. Old Tarim, June 1. Scale r : 400.

tutghutschtake-uji, and a ôoldschemal containing a semi-crescentic pool. It is in this abandoned loop that the old bed of the day before, the Tale jatghan-tarim, rejoins the main stream. The natives declare, that there is still an occasional pool to be found in it. In the desert, south-east from this point, lies the lake of Baschtage-köl, which is said to be as large as the Begelik-köl, and to consist of three basins, — the Aghis-köl, the Tughadake-köl, and the Tschapghan-köl. The channel which connects this lake with the river enters the latter just below a sharp S-shaped bend. From this point the loops become much longer. Next, on the right, a masar crowning a hill, and on the left Solomadake-dung. The belt of sand on the right of the river is called Arghamtschi-baghladi-kum. At Basch-arghan we have the termination of the dry Tarim bed, the Ettek-tarim (see below). After that the river contracts tremendously, at the same time quickening its velocity; the alluvial deposits are very few, and steep; and the banks vertical and high. In fact, the river resembles a canal. . Sand-hills and tamarisk-mounds are common on both banks, and poplar woods are general, especially on the right bank.

* The water-lily is called odolik. Putalik is the word for a dense tamarisk forest. The word which forms the lake's name is evidently podolik, although it is de facto pronounced as I have written it.