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CONTENTS OF
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Trafficking — Favourable opportunity to proceed — Prince opposes our departure — Intrigues of Sordji — Want of funds — Sale of guns and merchandise — Fortune befriends us — Preparations for a start — Departure of caravan — Detention — Siya's promise — Disappointment — Anxiety — Siya again — Good news — We join caravan — Our travelling companions — Lama-warriors — Randzemba — His passion for the chase — With the caravan — Poisoned wells — Great fatigue — Inquisitive visitors — Pursuit of science under difficulties — Tingeri sands — Mountains of Kan-su — Snowy peaks — Cultivation — Great Wall of China — Town of Ta-jing — Watch towers — White bread — Choice of routes |
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THE PROVINCE OF KAN-SU.
First sight of Kan-su — Marginal range — Ta-yi-gu — Sung-shan — Abundance of water — Ruined villages — A false alarm — Harsh treatment of prisoner — Gold washings — Profusion of vegetation — Another adventure — Randzemba and the breech-loaders — Mystery explained — Temple of Chertinton; its superior or abbot — We leave our camels and horses — The Rangtu-gol — Cultivated and thickly-populated plain — The Taldi — The temple of Chobsen; its images and idols; its militia garrison — Arrival at Chobsen — Drying the collections — Stagnation of trade — Start for the mountains — Description of the mountains of Kan-su — Northern and Southern chains — Snowy peaks — ‘Amneh’ the sacred mountains — Geology — Minerals — Climate — Flora: trees, bushes, &c. — The Rhubarb plant (Rheum palmatum) — Method of obtaining and preserving it — Artificial cultivation — Rhododendrons — Characteristic plants of Kan-su — Luxuriant meadowland — Fauna of Kan-su — Mammals — Birds; their classification — Birds of alpine zone — Absence of water-fowl — Excessive humidity — Thunderstorms — Sodi-Soruksum; splendid view — Mount Gadjur; its sacred lake — Terror of natives — Guides refuse to proceed — Autumn — Camels suffer — Chobsen besieged — Perilous situation — Prepare for defence — Night-watch — Hire guides to Koko-nor — Consult auguries — Halt — Supplies — Departure — A critical moment — Appearance of Dungans — Mur-zasak — Tatung-gol — Koko-nor at last |
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