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74
EAST ASIA.
A report had long been current that certain Russian sectaries had taken refuge
on the banks of the Tarim. But Prjevalsky has shown that the report was
groundless, and that the Tarimtzi, with their " Aryan " features, differ in no
respect from the other Sartes of the Tarim basin. It is none the less certain that
some Russian Raskolniks found their way to this dreary region in search of the
marvellous " White Water," which cleanses of their sins all who bathe in it,
A few young men first arrived to
besides securing for them all earthly happiness.
erect huts and prepare the fields for the colony. Next year came the rest of the
immigrants with their families ; but despairing of finding the sought-for Eden on
the shores of the Lob-nor, they soon retraced their steps northwards to Urumtsi,
and since then nothing further has been heard of these mystic pilgrims.
Chinese Turkestan comprises ten large divisions, which, proceeding from the
south-west, are : Khotan, Yarkand, Yangi-hissar, Kashgar, TJsh-turfan, Ak-su,
Bai, Kucha, Korla, Karashar. Three military commandants reside at Karashar,
Khotan, and Yarkand, the last named being also the seat of the general adminis-
tration. Amongst all the cities, seven are considered as enjoying a special dignity,
apart altogether from their size and administrative rank. Khotan, Yarkand,
Yangi-hissar, Kashgar, Ush-turfan, Kucha, and Karashar are the members of this
Jiti-shahr, or " heptapolis."