Page:From Kulja, across the Tian Shan to Lob-Nor (1879).djvu/41

22 of Central Asia for its beauty, its springs, meadows, and fine breezes. The farmsteads are described as models of neatness and thrift, and the orchards produce the finest apples and pears, and pomegranates in the country. The pears are of a peculiar excellence, of light colour, soft granular structure, and very juicy. The apples are of a peculiar kind called Muzalma, or Ice apple, their skin being transparent, and the substance the same as if iced.

This valley was the favourite camping-ground of Timour after his campaign of extermination against the Juts.

A native of these parts, speaking in raptures of the delights of this valley, said, "Just as you think Kashmir superior to all the rest of the world, so is Yulduz superior to Kashmir."

Korla is the next division, at the foot of the Khan Khura range, and the town of that name is the one where Colonel Prejevalsky first came in contact with Yakub Beg's officials.

The next division eastward, is Karashahr, which occupies a valley between the Uighur Bulak to the north (a continuation eastward of the Alatagh or Tengri Ula range), and the Kurugh Tagh range of sandhills to the south. These coalesce towards the east and close the valley in that direction at Gumish Akma, about ninety miles from the city, but towards the west the valley is open, and gives passage to the Kaidu river, which, on crossing