THE RETURN JOURNEY FROM ARGHAN TO JANGI-KOL. 423
indicates, there is a spring, which has given rise to a pool, the water of which is strongly impregnated with salt. At the homestead of Tscherik we passed on our left a frozen boldschemal or abandoned river-loop. The great caravan road was about 4 km. away on our left hand, with some smaller dunes between it and us. The Tarim was estimated to be half-a-day's journey distant; that it was an appreciable way
Fig. 370. HUTS IN SCHEJTLER.
Fig. 371. JATIM-TARIM AT SCHEJTLER.
off was evident from the fact that we were unable to see the high sand. Ischtansalghutsch is the name both of a big boldschemal, with a frozen pool, and of a village of several homesteads, which was however deserted 3 years ago, when its inhabitants flitted to Jirim near Karaune, a short distance further west. The boldschemal last-mentioned is said to have been abandoned ten years ago. In the district of Berdischik the path touches the river-arm. Steppe, forest, and tangled thicket alternate
with one another; these last make riding difficult and levy tribute upon the camels' hair. Aksakalköli, on the left of the path, is now dry. The kamisch huts of the next village, At jegen, on the left of the river, are pleasantly situated in the shade of magnificent poplars. One of these had at the base a circumference of 3.40 m., and was lofty and well-grown, as may be seen from the accompanying photograph. In some of the open reaches of the river there were wild-duck.
On the right of the track comes, next, the boldschemal of Jachija-tschapti-köl, which, although it contained salt water, was nevertheless frozen over. I am told that, as soon as a loop is abandoned by the river, its water becomes salt, even though year after year it is renewed
by a fresh supply at the season of high flood. Fig. 37 2. A POPLAR (TOGHRAK) AT AT-JEGEN
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