called respectively Tschonak-tasch and Majmun-tasch. It was with a feeling of genuine pleasure that we at length saw the poplars and willows of the tiny village of Sologhas looming up through the haze. An idea of this little oasis is conveyed by Pl. 43 of vol. II. It only gets water when the snows melt and when it rains, so that its annual harvest is somewhat precarious. If no snow falls in the upper part of the glen which sends its brook down past the village, and on farther to Mokujle, and if no rain falls in the spring, the harvest of the villagers is totally ruined. Both 1900 and 1901 had been fortunate years for them in this respect; but farther back than that they were unable to recollect how they had fared with regard to water-supply. When, after a dry period, the water again begins to flow down the
bed, the people hasten to direct the earliest freshets into the köl, or artificial basin, which is seen in the foreground of the photograph just mentioned, and it is only when that is completely full, and thus their reserve supply of water is ensured, that they allow it to be distributed over the fields. When I was there, the basin had just been filled to the brim. Indeed the oasis itself is situated in the depression which has been created by the fluvial erosion. The ten ujlik in the village all belong to one and the same family. The altitude above sea-level was 1822 m.
May 8th. The haze had lifted and the wind dropped, so that the atmosphere was clearer and we were able to see a good half hour ahead. It was likewise warmer, though the heat was by no means oppressive until the afternoon, when it again began to blow a little from the north. Monotonous uplands now stretched before us to an infinite distance, the surface being but slightly undulating in long flat billowy curves, which were only apparent in consequence of their striking difference of colour in the still obscure atmosphere. The watercourses which we passed
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