Page:From Kulja, across the Tian Shan to Lob-Nor (1879).djvu/60

Rh Before describing Yulduz, let us say a few words about the Narat. This range though nowhere reaching the limit of the perpetual snow-line, presents nevertheless a wild and alpine character. Its solitary peaks with their steep slopes, particularly near the axis of the range, are scored with bare precipitous cliffs forming narrow gloomy chasms. Below these again are the alpine meadows, and lower still on the northern side clumps of spruce fir; the southern slopes of the Narat are treeless.

We crossed this range at its eastern extremity, where the ascent is not particularly steep, though difficult for camels; on the Yulduz side the descent is very gradual. Snow lay in small quantities on the northern slopes during our march, i.e. in the middle of September, whereas on its south side the Narat was completely free of snow. The pass is 9800 feet above sea-level. Near the summit we killed a small boar, preserving its skin for our collection, and its meat for our provision-store.

Descending the Narat, we entered Yulduz. This name signifies "star," and was perhaps bestowed on the country owing to its elevated position among the mountains, or from the circumstance of its being the promised land of cattle. The