CH A P T E R X X IV .
FROM VIERNY TO AULIE-ATA.
PAOe
Departure from Vierny.— Journey to Kastek.— Branch roads to
Issik-Kul and Kashgar.— Old road to Tokmak.— Arrival at
Suigati.— Nogai B i’ s cattle.— Kirghese language and literature.—
Education by mullahs and Russian schools.— The River
Chu— An aul of Kirghese.— Birth and naming of children —
Pishpek botanical garden— Alexandrof mountains.— Telegram
to General Kolpakovsky.— Setting a Yemstchik’ s le g— Aulie-
A ta .— Kirghese wares, industries, and commercial customs.—
Visit to Aulie-Ata’s tomb. — Muhammadaii offerings and
religious feasting.— Analogies in Christendom . . . .352
CH A P T E R X X V .
THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT OF TURKISTAN.
Definition of “ Turkistan.” — Origin and composition of the general
government. — Its dimensions, boundaries, and surface.
Turkistan temperature compared with that of Asia generally.—
Results of dryness o f climate on soil and vegetation.— Meteorological
observatories and tables.— Four vegetal climatic zones.
— Fogs, aurora borealis, and earthquakes.— Geology of
Russian Turkistan, and minerals — Decrease of mining operations,
and why . . . . • • • • • * 3°9
CH A P T E R X X V I .
THE SYR-DARIA PROVINCE.
Extent and boundaries of Syr-daria province.— Its mountains and
deserts.— The Aral depression, and its geological changes—
Turkistan rivers : their peculiarities and direction.— Sources of
the Syr-daria.— Its characteristics at Kho jend ; from Chinaz
to Perovsk ; and onwards to the Aral.— Its affluents and banks.
— Communications of the province.— The road from Orenburg,
and towns thereon.— Caravan routes.— Turkistan population
according to races.— Russian inhabitants, and Kuramas.
Population according to creeds.— Progress and density of
settled and nomad communities . . • • • 3^1
CH A P T E R X X V I I .
Hi s t o r i c a l s k e t c h o f t h e R u s s i a n a d v a n c e t o t h e
SYR-DARIA.
PAGE
Plussia’s advance eastwards.— Conquest of Tatars of the Golden
I Horde, 1480, and of Kazan, 1552.— Submission of Bashkirs,
I 1574.— Contact with Kirghese-Kazaks, 1718,— Their nominal
■ submission under Abul-Khair.— Commencement of Orenburg
■ line offorts, 1735.— Feuds o f the natives.— Mistakes o f Russian
■ administration.— Khans abolished and Sultans appointed, 1833.
I — Insurrections of 'Kirghese.— Forts planted in the Steppe and
I on the Syr-daria, 1847.— Russians on the Aral Sea.— Advance
■ of Russian civil administration.— Determination to connect
■ the Irtish and Syr-daria forts . . . . . . . 400
CH A P T E R X X V I I I .
FROM AULIE-ATA TO TASHKEND.
Departure from Aulie-Ata.— Ornithology of district, and of Turkistan
■ generally.— Birds of prey.— Passerine birds.— Crows, Finches.
■ Thrushes, Warblers.— Gallinaceous birds.— Waders, Swans,
■ Geese, and Ducks.— Cattle of Turkistan.— Journey along the
■ Aris, and description of the river.— Chimkent uyezd, its houses
■ and chief town.— Wayside geology.— The River Keles.— Road
■ through gardens irrigated by can a ls .^ A r riv a l at Tashkend . 414
CH A P T E R X X IX .
THE AMU-DARIA PROVINCE.
The Amu-daria province : its boundaries and dimensions.— The
■Kyzyl-Kum Steppe: its sands, marshes, and mountains.— De
■Marny on its geology.— His deductions questioned.— Lake
■ A ra l: its dimensions, climate, and shores.— Its islands and
■lessening circumference.— Meteorology of the province and
■health of population.— Classification of inhabitants according
I u ^ace.s* The Karakalpaks.— Recent statistics concerning'
■ habitations.— Agriculture of settled population.— Improved
■condition o f natives— Difficulties of the nomads— Introduction
■ ot Kussian administration.— Revenue , , ,
•