THE INFLUENCE OF THE HIGH PLATEAUS 111
a felt, but oftener left open to allow the escape of the pungent smoke of dried dung which forms the only available fuel. The most salient feature of the dwelling, however, is the ease with which it can be taken to pieces and moved from place to place. Hence its peculiar appearance and mode of construction, which are more evident from the accompanying photographs than from any description. No iron is used ; the lattice-work, made of pieces of willow an inch in diameter, is bound together by strips of raw-hide drawn through holes, while the poles which support the roof are tied in place with home-made ropes of wool. Large felts cover the outside, the lower part of which is sometimes adorned and protected by matting made of reeds a quarter of an inch thick and four feet long, tied so as to stand vertically. The whole dwelling can be folded compactly into pieces of convenient size for carriage by camels or oxen whenever a migration is to take place.
In similar fashion the furniture of a " kibitka," as the tents are called, is of peculiar sorts, corresponding to the materials at the disposal of the Khirghiz, and to the necessity of easy transportation. Utensils are made chiefly of leather and wood, the most available materials which will not break. Again, the dress of the Khirghiz is adapted to the coolness and dampness of the climatic conditions under which the people live. Having described these things, we at once perceive that they in turn limit the œsthetic sense of the Khirghiz. These people cannot know much about architecture or the ceramic art; but they can and do enjoy bright-colored rugs and felts, gaudy leather boxes, gay screens or hanging doorways, and gorgeous robes or delicately embroidered head-
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