dwellings
deep into the sand, of which the walls built of large and solid-baked
bricks, are pretty well preserved. Save these bricks, "I found hardly
anything, the inhabitants have pillaged everything long ago. I attempted
some excavating, which turned out to be without result, as far as I was
concerned; but the superstitious natives declared that they were the cause
of a violent storm which took place soon after. There are similar ruins in
the environs, at Yantak Koudouk, at Tatrang, one day's march to the north,
and at Ouadjchahari at five days to the north-east, which corresponds to
the position assigned to Lop by Marco Polo." (See _Grenard's Haute Asie_
on _Nia_.)

Palladius is quite mistaken (l.c. p. 3.) in saying that the "Charchan" of
Marco Polo is to be found in the present province of Karashar. (Cf. _T. W.
Kingsmill's Notes on Marco Polo's Route from Khoten to China_, _Chinese
Recorder_, VII. pp. 338-343; _Notes on Doctor Sven Hedin's Discoveries in
the Valley of the Tarim, its Cities and Peoples_, _China Review_, XXIV.
No. II. pp. 59-64.)--H. C.]

CHAPTER XXXIX.

OF THE CITY OF LOP AND THE GREAT DESERT.

Lop is a large town at the edge of the Desert, which is called the Desert
of Lop, and is situated between east and north-east. It belongs to the
Great Kaan, and the people worship Mahommet. Now, such persons as propose
to cross the Desert take a week's rest in this town to refresh themselves
and their cattle; and then they make ready for the journey, taking with
them a month's supply for man and beast. On quitting this city they enter
the Desert.

The length of this Desert is so great that 'tis said it would take a year
and more to ride from one end of it to the other. And here, where its
breadth is least, it takes a month to cross it. 'Tis all composed of hills
and valleys of sand, and not a thing to eat is to be found on it. But
after riding for a day and a night you find fresh water, enough mayhap for
some 50 or 100 persons with their beasts, but not for more. And all across
the Desert you will find water in like manner, that is to say, in some 28
places altogether you will find good water, but in no great quantity; and
in four places also you find brackish water.[NOTE 1]

Beasts there are none; for there is nought for them to eat. But there is a
marvellous thing related of this Desert, which is that when travellers are
on the move by night, and one of them chances to lag behind or to fall
a