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25 Balkh and the Maimanah. But they often lose themselves on their way and seldom reach the Oxus. The Murghab (385 miles). -This is an important river of this group, and takes its rise in the mass of mountains connecting the eastern extremities of the Firoz Koh and the Tirband-i- Turkestan. At first it flows in a westerly direction, but after receiving the waters of numerous tributaries, it turns north-west and passes the Afghan fortress of Bala Murghab and the border post of Karawalkhana. At the latter place it receives the waters of the Kansar, one of its affluents. Continuing in a north- westerly direction it flows past Maruchak, lying on the right bank, where a short distance below, the Kashan flows into it. At Maruchak the river is the dividing point between Russia and Afghanistan for a distance of some 15 miles. The villages of Panjdeh and Akteppe are both situated upon the left bank of the river, within the Russian territory. At Akteppe it receives the waters of the Kushk river, which rises from the northern slopes of the Parapomisus range. From this point onward the Murghab flows in a due northerly direction, till it runs dry in the sands of the Karakum desert. The country through which the river flows is, in the main, a mixture of desert wastes and cultivated strips, with rising up- lands, carpeted in spring by bright flowers and hidden in winter by heavy snows. South-west of Bala Murghab the valley narrows to a defile. Through this the river rolls, tumbling with thunder- ous clamour towards Panjdeh, where it acquires a considerable breadth. The swiftness of its current and the uncertainty of its depth, together with deep holes and masses of protruding rocks, add to the hidden dangers from quicksands, and make fording intricate proceeding. Rafts and inflated skins are generally employed by the local people while crossing this river.