and it projects rather more to the north. Immediately over against this peak
the Akato-tagh likewise appears to bulge towards the south, so that 1n that place the Tschimen valley is narrower than usual. On each side of the peak V are the
glen of Gändschuluk, running towards the north-east, and the glen of Alim Baj on the east. Somewhat to the north of our route was a tract with springs known as Boghan-utschu, probably a ravine of the usual character. East of that point the principal stream of the valley is joined by no more contributory feeders.
After that the surface grew more undulating, and at times we appeared to be travelling between low escarpments, with vegetation between them, but barren on the top. Then came another ravine similar to the preceding, with vegetation in its bottom, known as Kumutluk, and in it just below the track was a spring, the water of which had a temperature of 8.5°, though it was not quite fresh. This brook does not however join the foregoing, but pursues its own way to the Ghas-nor, curving round to the north and north-east. Immediately east of that we crossed over two small ravines, which are said to originate in a valley between Gändschuluk and Alim Baj. Then turning towards the east-south-east, we saw the broad expanse of the lake of Ghas-nor occupying a considerable part of the breadth of the valley, but lying nearer to the Akato-tagh than to the Tschimen-tagh. In the west the lake is broad and blunted, but towards the east it gradually contracts, until finally it tapers away altogether. Beyond, in the line of its continuation, and on the other side of a stretch of schor, there is another small lake-basin. On the whole the lake is very shallow ; in especial its western parts convey the impression of being but a marsh. It is said to be almost everywhere difficult of access, owing to its shores consisting of saliferous mud and ooze, which will not bear a man's weight. The only place in which it can be approached is a short stretch on the south-west, where its shore is scarped. Along the southern shore is a belt of grass, reeds, and balghun bushes; thence the lake narrows still farther in the same direction, sending apophyses or »fingers» into the hollows between the spurs of the saj escarpment that projects towards the north. This escarpment constitutes the extreme outside edge of the detritus slope lining the foot of the Tschimen-tagh. Thus the two sets of spurs »interlock» like the fingers of the clasped hand. In the hollows there is vegetation, on the convex upper surfaces gravel and sand, or fine, yellow dust; sometimes also there occur larger and smaller blocks of coarse-grained grey granite, as well as of black schist and gneiss. Immediately west of the Ghas-nor there is said to be a smaller lake, Ajik-köl, into which flows the Basch-balghun, the Ajiklik and Sägis-jar. Its water is fresh, and the lake discharges by a single emissary into the Ghas-nor. It is said to be fringed round by thick reeds and bushes. The name, which means Bear Lake, is given to it because the bears are attracted by berries which grow on certain bushes there. What relations, if any, exist between these three streams and those which I have previously mentioned from Kasch-balghun onwards, I was unable to unravel. The former appear to enter the Ghas-nor without touching the Ajik-köl. In a certain part of its course the main stream is called the Lajdang, a name that points to the presence of mud deposits. Wild-duck were numerous; they winter in the spring-fed brooks I have mentioned above, more particularly in the brook of Temirlik, as I saw from my own observation subsequently. I shall
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