lug-Beg, here mentioned, were probably Chinese
astronomers in the service of that prince, sent on the present
occasion to ascertain and report the geographical circumstances of the
journey.--E.

[5] The text here is obscure, as appearing to indicate Kathayan ambassadors
going to Kathay. They may have been ambassadors from Yong-lo to
Shakh-Rokh, now on their return.--E.

[6] Called Asperah by Forster.--E.

[7] From this description of the route, and the implied division of empire,
it would appear that Shah-Rokh ruled over a very ample portion of the
vast conquests of Timur, having under has command the countries of
Iran and Touran; or Persia, Chorassan, Balkh, Kharism, Great Bucharia,
and Fergaana; even including Samarkand, the imperial residence of
Timur.--E.

[8] Mr Forster calls this place Pielgutu, and explains the name by the
substitution of _Palchas_ with a mark of interrogation as doubtful.
The geography of the East is rendered difficult and obscure, by the
frequent recurrence of names in different languages, and by a lax
orthography. Perhaps Pielgutu or Palchas, may have been situated on
the lake Balcash, otherwise named Palkati-nor, and Tengis--E.

[9] Otherwise Dagis and Dakgis--Astl.

[10] Called Lenger in Forster, who gives, as synonymous, Ab-lenger and Abi-
longur; which merely repeat the original name Lenger, with the prefix
abi, which signifies water or river. Of this river no mention is made
on our maps; but, from the direction of the route, it must have
crossed their way somewhere between the Palkati-nor and Turfan, which
is the next station mentioned.--E.

[11] Called Gurgu by Forster.--E.

[12] Fifth son of Shah-Rokh.--Astl.

[13] Perhaps the same place called Yulduz, and Yilduz by others, and
supposed to be the Chialis of later authors, in Little Bucharia. In
the Jesuits maps there is a river called Cheldos, near the Ili, on
which this town may have stood.--Astl.

[14] This is doubtless a mistake for Tarfan, or Turfan, in little Bucharia;
the Arabic F and K differing only by a point. Astl. Turfan, Turkhan,
or Farkhaan, is situated in Tenduc or Uiguria, in Lat. 43 deg. N. Long.
85 deg.. SO. E. The snowy mountains crossed in such haste must have been
the Alahtag. The cold desert of the tribe of Jel, was probably in the
eastern part of Soongria; perhaps the Karang desert, north from