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2 hair. Large numbers of them rise by their intelligence and faithfulness to occupy important situations. Although outwardly conforming to the faith and manners of the country, they cordially hate the native races, and are ready to hail with joy any political revolution which might shake the power of the Uzbeks. The Jews, though long estab lished in the country, form but a very inconsiderable part of its inhabitants. They are chiefly to be found in Bokhara and some of the larger towns, where they have separate quarters assigned to them. Their privileges are very restricted The Mervi, who number about 40,000, are the people who were transplanted from the city of Merv on its destruction about 1810 by Emir Said Khan. The Turko man or Kirghiz part of the population is wholly nomadic, and is chiefly to be found in the regions south of the Oxus.

The orchards in the neighbourhood of the larger towns are numerous and highly cultivated. They produce grapes, figs, peaches, pomegranates, apricots, plums, apples, pears, and quinces. The cultivation of cotton, tobacco, and lucerne is extensively carried on, as is also that of the mulberry, beet, cabbage, carrots, radishes, onions, cucum bers, pease, beans, lentils, melons, and pumpkins. The soil bsing of a saline nature requires to be cultivated with some care, so that it is found to be much more profitably laid out in gardens than in fields ; indeed, the returns from the former exceed by sevenfold the returns from the same quantity of the hitter. Wheat, rice, barley, millet, and joar (Sorghum vulgare) are the principal kinds of grain grown. The last-named is one of the most useful pro ductions of the khanate, and as it is cheap and nutritious, it forms the chief subsistence of the poor.

The horses of Bokhara are numerous, but are more remarkable for strength than for beauty. Asses are also very plentiful, and are large and sturdy. The camels, by means of which the entire traffic of Bokhara is carried on, are reared chiefly by the wandering tribes, particularly the Turkomans. They have a sleek coat as fine as that of a horse, and shed their hair in summer; from the hair a fine waterproof cloth of close and rather heavy texture is manu factured. The goats are about the common size, of a dark colour, and yield a shawl-wool inferior only to that of Kashmir The bulls and cows are miserably small, and in very wretched condition. The rearing of sheep is much attended to, particularly by the Arabs. There is a peculiar breed, said to thrive only in the district of Karakul, which produces a jet-black curly fleece that is much valued. The wild animals are few. Tigers of a diminutive species are found in the valley of the Oxus ; wild hogs, herds of deer, antelopes, and the wild ass roam on the plains ; and foxes, wolves, jackals, and ounces are found in some parts. All kinds of game are scarce. The scorpion is common. The most valuable insect is the silk worm, which is reared in all parts of the khanate where there is water every rivulet being lined with the mulberry.

Bokhara owes its importance to its central position. Lying on the route between Europe and the richest part of Asia, it is the seat of a considerable transit trade. The Government has established custom-houses, built caravanserais, and constructed cisterns along such caravan roads as are insufficiently supplied with water, but otherwise does nothing to encourage traffic; and the roads are generally in a wretched condition. Religious fanaticism formerly rendered it impossible for any except Mahometan merchants to trade with safety in the country ; but since 1868 all at least who are in any way under the protection of Russia have full freedom to import or transport their wares throughout the country. Bokhara carries on an extensive trade with Russia by means of caravans, which travel by the following routes, viz., by the route of Khiva to the shores of and across the Caspian from and to Astrakhan ; by the route to and from Orenburg by land in sixty clays, through Orghenj in Khiva ; to and from Troidska in Tobolsk, by the route east of the Sea of Aral, in forty-nine days ; and to and from Petropavlosk (Kizil Djar) in ninety days. From 5000 to 6000 camels are annually employed in this trade. Bokhara exports to Russia, besides cotton, which is the principal item, dried fruits, rice, raw and dyed silks, indigo, silk sashes, turquoises, shawls, and furs. It imports muslins, calicoes, chintzes, some silk stuffs, broad-cloth, brocades, hides, iron, and other metals. The trade with Khiva employs only from 1000 to 1500 camels, and consists chiefly in exporting to Bokhara Russian goods, of which there is always an available surplus in the markets of Khiva. Three, and occasionally four, caravans arrive annually from Meshid in Persia, bringing cotton and silk stuffs, calicoes, chintzes, muslins, carpets, shawls, turquoises and opium, and receiving in return lamb skins, cotton, rice, &amp;lt;fec. From Herat and Kashmir is imported a considerable quantity of shawls and Indian produce and English manufactures from Kabul. A brisk traffic is also carried on with Khokand, Tashkand, Kashgar, and Yarkand. The central points of commerce are Bokhara and Karshee ; and trade is principally conducted at the marts and fairs that are held in various parts of the country. Almost the only manu factures carried on in Bokhara are those of cotton goods, silks, carpets, leather, hardware, and jewellery. There is one manufactory of cast-iron articles. Swords and knives are fabricated at Hissar and Karshee, and excellent paper of raw silk at Bokhara.

Bokhara has for ages been reckoned the centre of Mussulman erudition ; and if we look at the number of its schools and the state of education among its people, we cannot but admit that, in that respect, it ranks first among the states of Central Asia. About one-fourth of the population is said to be able to read and write. The primary schools are numerous in the capital, as well as in the other cities, and even in villages. The course in these schools extends over about seven years. Those wishing to continue their studies then enter the medresses, or seminaries, in which they pursue a higher course of studies, chiefly theological, under one or two professors who have acquired the right to give lectures. Each establishment has a fixed number of students, according to the extent of the building. Fifteen or even twenty years are reckoned insufficient to go through a complete course in these institutions. The people are, however, very superstitious, believing in witchcraft, omens, spirits, and the evil eye.

The Government is a hereditary despotism, the khan having the power of life and death over his subjects. The civil administration is in the hands of the clergy, and is founded on the Koran and the commentaries upon it. The military and civil dignitaries are divided into three grades. The troops of the khan are estimated at about 40,000 men, but of these not more than one-third are completely armed. The languages in use are the Persian and Turkoman ; the latter is spoken by the Uzbeks, and the wandering tribes south of the Oxus.

Bokhara was known to the ancients under the name of Sogdiana. It was too far removed to the east ever to be brought under the dominion of Rome, but it has shared deeply in all the various and bloody revolutions of Asia. It is mentioned by the earliest historical writers of Persia ; and the foundation of the capital is ascribed to Efrasiab, the great Persian hero. About the year 856, Yacub- bin-Leis is said to have been invested with the govern ment of that province by the caliph. About twenty years later it was conquered by Ismael, the first sovereign of the Sassanean dynasty, whose successors held it until the renowned Malek Shah, third of the Seljuk dynasty 