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IO2   NOTES ON INDIVIDUAL MAP SHEETS

[Chap. IV

and the Etsin-gol basin is divided. The   broad alluvial fans of the Pei-ta-ho and of

chief physical features of these regions have   the smaller rivers which to the east of it

been indicated above in section vi of Chap   descend from the Richthofen Range. Fur-

ter II, and brief reference to their extent and   ther east the width of the plateau at the

character will suffice here.   foot of the range is still great. But the lesser

The mountain region in the south clear   volume of water carried by the streams

ly shows the wide trough-like uplands at the   here draining it restricts the cultivated area

headwaters of the Su-lo-ho and the Su-chou   to a string of minor oases along their allu-

and Kan-chou rivers, as well as the tortuous   vial fans, from Chin-fo-ssu (13. 2) to Nan-

narrow gorges in which these rivers have cut   ch`üan (D. 2). The rest of the belt consists

their way through the two northern ranges   here mainly of scrubby steppe, affording

of the Nan-shan. The increased moisture of   ample winter grazing, with interspersed

the climate eastwards is demonstrated by the   areas of drift-sand (C, D. 1, 2). Beyond the

forest growth which the map shows at ele   lower course of the Hsi-ta-ho (D. 2) a pro-

vations from about 8,000 to 10,000 feet in   jecting outer spur of the range, bare and

the valleys approaching the watershed of the   much eroded, confines the plateau-like belt

Pacific drainage, as marked by the Ta-t'ung   to its narrowest limits near the town of

river (C, D. 4).   Kao-t'ai.

In the same direction the change in the   The northern edge of the second region

character of the Richthofen Range, from a   is formed throughout by a low and utterly

steep mountain rampart into a system of   barren hill-range (A-D. 1), representing a

broad spurs with easier slopes at their top,   western extension of the Ala-shan. This

becomes noticeable. This change in the   hill-range with its slopes of bare gravel or

lateral expansion of the Richthofen Range   sand shares throughout the character of the

determines the width of the second region,   Etsin-gol basin described in the Notes on

that of the plateau-like belt stretching along   Sheets Nos. 44., 45. Cultivation stops above

its northern foot. Owing to the line of   the points where the rivers of Kan-chou

oases comprised in it this belt has formed an   and Su-chou break through the desert range

important `land of passage' all through   (B. 1, D. 1) to unite further down near the

historical times.   isolated oasis of Mao-mei (Sheet No. 42.

At the north-western end of the belt we   D. 4).

have the large oasis of Su-chou, occupying the Astronomically observed latidndes.

1906-08. Chia-yü-kuan, Camp 200 (near springs, south of eastern gate of

fort, A. 1)   ...	39°	48'	16"
Su-chou, Camp 201 (at Chiu-eh`üan temple, outside eastern gate of city; B. 1)	39°	45'	6"
Chin-fo-ssu, Camp 203 (garden, cire. 1 mile to south of eastern gate ; B. 2)   ...   ...   ...   ...	39°	25'
Ta-pên-kou, Camp 207 (gold miners' camp; B. 3) ..,	38°	59'	54"
Camp 211 (at spring near bed of southern tributary of Pei-to-ho;
A. 3)	38°	54'	54"
Camp 214 (above bed of rising Su-to-ho; A. 4)   ...	38°	29'
Camp 223 (on right river bank, north of Fêng-ta-fan; D. 3)	38°	38'	31"
Chien-ch`üan-tzu, Camp 231 (D. 2)   ..   • •.	39°	20'	3"
1913-15. Su-chou, Camp 133 (at Chiu-ch`üan temple, outside eastern city gate; B. 1)	39°	44'	51"
Lo-t`o-ch`êng, Camp 165 (within ruined town ; D. 2)	39°	20'	59"

NOTES ON SHEETS Nos. 44,45 (ETSINGOL, ETSIN-GOL DELTA)

These two sheets may conveniently be commented upon together as they combine to show the course of the Etsin-gol from below Mao-mei right down to its terminal lake

basins. The route in the extreme south-west (45.A.4) was fitted upon the position adopted for Kan-chou (46. B. 3), and the rest of the traverses in these sheets compiled on the