had pitched Camp LXI the year before; this would give me a valuable point of control by which to connect the observations of the two itineraries. But we had to keep on south for yet one day longer, before we hit upon suitable ground, that promised a favourable track to the lake. During this day the country remained on the whole fairly flat and plateau-like, though rather greatly diversified on a small scale, which necessitated our going incessantly up and down the little hills and swellings. These still continued to be everywhere plentifully strewn with pieces of tuff, and they somewhat retarded our advance. We were now on the high uplands where the scenery changes so slowly that the caravan, when contrasted with the mountains, seemed to be almost standing still. Orongo antelopes and partridges were fairly common. A little grass grew in places.
A characteristic feature of this region is the numerous tiny lakes or pools which lie scattered all over the irregular surface. They appear to be relatively deep, to judge from the dark shades of the water. In all those that we tested the water was perfectly fresh. Some were still frozen, while others had a soft, water-logged ice-sheet in the middle, and yet others again were perfectly free from ice; but none of these small sheets of water will be free from ice for more than three months in the year at the most. One, which we passed on our left, was a good deal bigger than the others. When seen from the top of a hill, the country looked chequered
Hedin. Tourney in Central Asia. III. 55
IIIF Color HighRes
