to the east, we noticed circular cavities in the rocks, some close to the river, others (mostly near Sawas) high above it. These had been neatly drilled by natural forces to a depth of 8 to 10 feet in some cases, while in others the depth was about 5 feet, the diameter at the top being from 2 feet to 2i feet.
Resuming our caravan journey to the east, we revisited Ay Tash (Camp 46), whose name was now stated to be Ara Tash. From Chumdi we ascended and surveyed the Asgan Sal valley to a spot whence we could see the country which we had surveyed from the Sandal and the Kuramut Passes.
At Oyung excellent pears are grown, and, as I approached the village, I hoped to purchase a large supply, but I had been forestalled by a Chinaman, who, in the absence of the grower, had obtained the fruit from his timid wife at about one-tenth of its value.
Following the right bank to the Yarkand, I worked down to the point where the river is crossed by the road to Khotan, thus completing the survey of the stretch from Bazar Dara, a length of about three hundred miles, of which at least that portion between the west end of Raskam and Kosarab had never before been surveyed. The completion of this work was highly satisfactory to myself, and in considering the circumstances in which it was carried out, I am inclined to attribute its success not merely to the local assistance I obtained, but also, and in large measure, to the opposition I encountered. The physical difficulties to be overcome with the limited means at my disposal were very formidable, but these seemed to dwindle and lose their importance when artificial difficulties were interposed, and when I was delayed, obstructed, and thwarted by persons who had not the candour or the courage to declare themselves. The depression which I experienced after three unsuc-
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