Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 605

1850.

Topography of the Province of Kánsuh.

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XI. The inferior department of Kiái has been set off from Kung- cháng fú in order that its officers might exercise a closer scrutiny over the mountaineers on the borders among the Min Mts. It is a rough region, producing quicksilver, musk, timber, deer's horns, and drugs.

XII. The inferior department of Tsin has been, like the preceding, set off from Kungcháng fő. It lies between King chau and Kiái chau, along the frontier of Shensí, in the valleys of the R. Wei; and in its productions and appearance resembles those two prefectures. It has a denser population, and carries on some trade with Shensí.

XIII. The inferior department of Suk lies west of Kanchau fú, in- cluding in its limits the important pass of Kiáyü kwán

(i. e. the Pleasant Valley Pass), at the termination of the Great Wall, in lat. 971°, about fifty miles west of the town. Suh chau is a large and well fortified town, with numerous bazars, well provided with pro- visions and manufactured articles. The Chinese live in one part, and the Mohammedans in another, the two divided by a wall, and the inhabitants placed under a modified separate rule. The trade in provisions and garments at this place is very great. At Kiáyü kwán, a special officer is appointed to examine every one who passes through, and to levy a slight transit duty on goods. Suh chau is called Succiur by Polo, and is mentioned by him as a great mart for rhubarb; the people were Christians and idolaters. The whole of this region seems then to have almost recovered from the devastation and destruction of life caused by its conquest by Genghis Khan in A.D. 1227, or else the accounts given in De Guigne's Histoire des Huns of the slaughter made by the Mongol troops in Taugut are greatly exaggerated.

XIV. The inferior department of Ngánsi lies in the valleys of the R. Purunki and Sirgalzin beyond the Pass, including however, in its limits the whole Desert between the territory of the Alashan Mongols and Lake Lop, as far north as Barkoul, being nearly one half of the whole province. The population chiefly inhabits the few fertile valleys between the Kilien Mts. and the Desert, an area about 150 miles long and 60 wide; they are said to be numerous and wealthy. The num- ber of towns in this region is apparently considerable, but of their size and importance, we have very little reliable information. Ngánsí is the largest town in the region; Sha-chau or Sandtown, is the

H outpost towards the Desert on the road going west to Tibet and Lake Lop. Marco Polo reached this town first when coming from Lake Lop, and describes the passage across as occupying thirty days; water was met with in about twenty-eight places, but no food. He thus describes the people of Sacchion or Shá-chau :—