Page:Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London, Volume 1 (2nd edition).djvu/273

Rh river. The same precautions are adopted on this river as on the Karakash, to prevent the stones being obtained by private persons.

'The river of Yarkund rises from the northern side of the mountains of Kara Korum, opposite to the source of the river Shayook, on the southern face of the same mountain. On quitting the Kara Korum range, it holds a northerly and straight course for two days' journey to Ak Togh, or the white mountain, then south one day's journey to Khafaloon Tushgood, then northerly for two days' journey to Kirghiz Jungul, proceeding in the same direction for six days' journey to Togh-doong-bash, or the lofty mountain; then still north for three days' journey to Koshherul (or between two waters), where it receives the river of Surakol, a tolerably large stream, that rises in the mountain of Chechuklik (or place of flowers, Chechuk signifying flowers), one day's journey to the west. The river arising from the junction of the two streams at Koshherul, thenceforward takes the name of the Yarkund river, proceeding easterly for eight kos to the town of Post Karn, or Kurn, and retaining this direction for six kos farther, reaches Bish Kint, then goes straight north for five kos, and east five kos, towards Yarkund, which is five kos from the river on the west. From this it continues to pursue an eastern course, and after passing through a woody tract for ten days, mixes its waters with those of the Karakash and Yooroongkash in one common conflux. The name of the river resulting from this triple union is not known to my informant, but it proceeds to the eastward for three days' journey, when it receives the Aksoo river, which comes from the north.

'The Aksoo river rises by several streams, some on the Duvan Borlund (or high mountain) to the north of Toorfan. One is said to arise in the country of the Kirghiz, and another near Eela, each about twelve days' journey in length. They unite at the city of Turfan, or Toorfan Yungee, New Toorfan. The common trunk goes for three days' journey south to Aksoo. From Aksoo, still holding a southern direction for five days' journey, it falls into the river of the three streams of Karakash, Yooroongkash, and Yarkund, but of which the name is not ascertained. The trunk, after this union, proceeds eastward for six days' journey to Baee, a small town; thence still maintaining its