North of the eastern part of the basin of the river Di, and sepa rated from it by the Iron Khabirgan and tho Tokty Mountains, is the basin of the Lake of Borotala, which is followed on the east by that of the Lake of A yar, whose eastern extremity is contiguous to the basin of the Lake Khulussutai. The three basins occupy a lino of at least 460 miles from east to west, near 45° N. lat. Only the western portion of the first basin has been visited by Europeans, and of the others some account is given in the Chinese geography. According to this information, it seems that this region, which extends to the base and over the northern declivities of the Thianehan, is well watered, as a number of small rivers descend from the anow•covered mountains, which in summer supply abundant means of watering the soiL It is stated that the Chinese and Mongols who have been trans planted to this country have made considerable progress in cultivating the ground, and that it is rather populous. But the cultivable and cultivated space is not of great width, as the rivers at a distance of 20 or 30 miles from the base of the mountains arrive at the lowest depression of the basins, and there form the three above-mentioned lakes, which are surrounded by extensive swamps. We have no information respecting the country to the north side of the lakes, nor respecting the extent of the lakes themselves.
North of the basins of the lakes of Ayer and Khulussntai are several smaller basins, and a larger one which is drained by the river Urunghu, which falls into a large lake called Kisilbash, or Ehasselbcuh. We are entirely unacquainted with the natural capacities of this region, and only know that the greater part of the Turgut Mongols, who left Russia in 1771 and 1772, were settled in these parts, whence we may infer that it is more fit for pasture than agricultural purposes.
The basin of the Lake Kisilbash lied south-east of the basin of the river Irtish, which occupies that extensive tract of country which is south of the Egtsg, or Great Altai, and north of the chain of the Tarbaeatai Mountains, and is closed on the west by the low ridge of the Kheirek Mountains. This extensive basin was explored by com mand of Peter the Great. The expedition sailed to the Lake of Zaieang, from which the river issues. The lake is about 70 miles long and 10 miles wide, and abounds in fish. The banks are swampy and overgrown with canes and reeds. The river Irtish, which originates in the Egtag Altai, enters the lake at its eastern extremity, after a course of about 230 miles. It may be navigated to a consider able distance by large river barges. The country about the lake was, when first visited, in possession of the Songares, and no part of the basin at that time seemed to be cultivated. At present, some tribes of Khirghis Cossets are found in these parts, and they oocupy this country exclusively, with the exception of a few Chinese and Mend shoos, who are established along the boundary-line of Siberia. In
the eastern districts of the basin however some tribes of the Songares have maintained their footing. Nearly all of them lead a wandering life, and some live by the produce of the chace. The Russians, who dwell farther north on the banks of the Irtiah, with the permission of the Chinese authoritiee carry on an extensive fishery in the river below its efflux from the lake, and a few of them advance even across the lake to the upper course of the river.
Between the Tarbsgatai Mountains on the north, and the Ala-tan range on the south, is the basin of Lake Alakul and of the river EmyL The lake is said to extend more than GO miles east and west, and about half that length north and south. The course of the river does not much exceed 100 miles. The level part of the basin has a soil consisting of gravel, and consequently of little fertility, but at the base of the mountains and along the rivers there are many fertile tracts of considerable extent, which are cultivated with care by the Khirghis Coasaks, who came after the Songares had left the country.
In the Lake Alakul there is a lofty island called Aral-tube, which is an extinct volcano. Two other extinct volcanoes occur in the Thianahan Mountains, the western called Pe-shan, near 83' E. long., and the eastern called Hotaheou, north of Tinian, near 90' E. long. Along the northern deolivity of the Thienshan Mouutaina there are several tracts which are covered with volcanio products, and on which sal-ammoniao and sulphur abound. It seems therefore that here, nearly in the centre of Asia, and at a distance of from 1000 to 1800 miles from the sea, an extensive volcanic system has once been in action, and the earthquakes, which even in modern times have been felt in this country, show that this powerful cause is still in operation.
Climaie.—As this country is placed between two groat deserts, which are no lass distinguished by great heat in summer, than by severe cold in winter, we may suppose, in the absence of all positive information on the subject, that Sougaria partakes of both in a con siderable degree. Rain, which is so rare in the deserts, does not appear to be abundant in Songarbt, as we most infer from the circum stance that where the ground is cultivated irrigation is practised; in winter however snow falls in considerable quantities.
Productions.—Wheat, barley, and millet are oultivated, but rice only in the southern districts, especially on the banks of the Ili. Tobacco is very extensively grown, and vegetables abound. There are excellent melons of several kinds. The lower declivities of the mountains are covered with trees, but the greater part of the country is destitute of them. The meet common trees are pines, mountain ash, poplars, willows, lime-trees, and birch.