Page:From Kulja, across the Tian Shan to Lob-Nor (1879).djvu/125

106 in the latter half of March, there being no land suitable for the purpose at Lob-nor itself.

The favourable opportunity now afforded me of seeing all that was left of the primitive life of the inhabitants of Lob-nor, was so much the more valuable, as in the course of a decade or two what I am now relating will seem like a tradition of bygone times.

In appearance the inhabitants of Kara-Kurchinia and the Tarim present a strange mixture of facial types, some of which call to mind the Mongolian race. The prevailing characteristics are however Aryan, though far from pure. As far as I could judge, the distinctive traits of a native of these parts are height, rather below the average; frame, weak and hollow-chested; cheekbones prominent, and chin pointed; beard scanty and à l'Espagnole; whiskers even smaller; hair on the face generally of feeble growth; lips often thick and protruding; teeth white and regular, and skin dark, whence their name (Kara-Kurchin, i. e. black Koshun) may be derived.

One language prevaUs among all the inhabitants of this region. It is said to resemble closely the dialect of Khoten, but to be distinct from that of Korla and Turfan. The inhabitants on