DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15174#0179
CHAP. II,
THE SEA OF ARAL.
163
and vicinity of the sea, is the Aral. I conclude
that the dry river beds between Astrabad and
Khiva are the remains of some of the canals of the
kingdom of Kharasm, and I am supported in this
belief by the ruins near them, which have been
deserted as the prosperity of that empire declined.
We shall thus account for such appearances on
obvious grounds, without calling in the aid of earth-
quakes and other commotions of nature.
The Tartars inform you that the word " Aral"
implies between, and that that sea or lake is so
called from its lying betiveen the Sir and the Amoo,
the Jaxartes and the Oxus. It is a popular belief,
that the waters of the Aral pass by a subterraneous
course into the Caspian. At a spot called Kara
Goombuz, between the seas, where the caravans
halt, some assert that the water is to be heard
rushing beneath. It is said to make a noise like
the words " Kara doom," which mean " I am
thirsty;" but the clock strikes what the fool thinks.
The necessity of some such subterraneous passage
is obvious in the eyes of the people, since the Aral
has no outlet for two large rivers, but they do not
think of evaporation, which is great beyond belief
in this dry country *, where there is also a per-
petual wind. It is a curious fact, however, that at
Kara Goombuz, before mentioned, which appears
to be a sandy ridge, water is found close to the
* Some observations of my fellow-traveller, Dr. Gerard,
determine this most satisfactorily. A bowl-full of water alto-
gether disappeared in two days.
M 2
THE SEA OF ARAL.
163
and vicinity of the sea, is the Aral. I conclude
that the dry river beds between Astrabad and
Khiva are the remains of some of the canals of the
kingdom of Kharasm, and I am supported in this
belief by the ruins near them, which have been
deserted as the prosperity of that empire declined.
We shall thus account for such appearances on
obvious grounds, without calling in the aid of earth-
quakes and other commotions of nature.
The Tartars inform you that the word " Aral"
implies between, and that that sea or lake is so
called from its lying betiveen the Sir and the Amoo,
the Jaxartes and the Oxus. It is a popular belief,
that the waters of the Aral pass by a subterraneous
course into the Caspian. At a spot called Kara
Goombuz, between the seas, where the caravans
halt, some assert that the water is to be heard
rushing beneath. It is said to make a noise like
the words " Kara doom," which mean " I am
thirsty;" but the clock strikes what the fool thinks.
The necessity of some such subterraneous passage
is obvious in the eyes of the people, since the Aral
has no outlet for two large rivers, but they do not
think of evaporation, which is great beyond belief
in this dry country *, where there is also a per-
petual wind. It is a curious fact, however, that at
Kara Goombuz, before mentioned, which appears
to be a sandy ridge, water is found close to the
* Some observations of my fellow-traveller, Dr. Gerard,
determine this most satisfactorily. A bowl-full of water alto-
gether disappeared in two days.
M 2