s.--E.

[4] This position of Rubruquis is sufficiently distinct: Having ferried
over the river Tshui, and crossed the Jimbai mountains, the route now
lay between the Alak mountain on his right, or to the south, and the
lake of Balkash or Palkati Nor, to the left or north.--E.

[5] The Kisik-tag, which he had before passed in descending into Western
Turkestan.--E.

[6] This absurd derivation of the name of the country and people, is
unworthy of credit. Organum was probably the country called Irgonekan
or Irganakon by Abulgari; and the word signifies a valley surrounded
by steep mountains, exactly correspondent with the description in the
text.--Forst.

[7] The Contomanni or Kontomanians, were probably a Mongal tribe,
originally inhabiting the banks of the Konta or Khonda, who had
afterwards settled on the banks of the river Ili and lake of Balkash.
--Forst.

SECTION XXVI.

_How the Nestorians and Mahometans are mixed with Idolaters_.

In the first place arc the Jugurs, whose country borders upon the land of
Organum among the mountains towards the east, and in all their towns
Nestorians and Mahometans are mixed among the natives. And they are
diffused likewise in all the towns of the Mahometans towards Persia. In the
city of Cailac, or Cealac, there are three idol temples, two of which I
went into to observe their folly. In one of these I found a person having a
cross marked with ink upon his hand, whence I supposed him a Christian, and
to all my questions he answered like a Christian. I asked him wherefore he
had not the cross and image of Christ, and he answered, that it was not
their custom; wherefore I concluded the people were actually Christians,
but omitted these things for want of instruction. Behind a certain chest,
which served for an altar, and on which they placed candles and oblations,
I saw an image with wings like that of St Michael; and other images holding
out their fingers, as if blessing the spectators. That evening I could make
no farther discovery; for though the Saracens invite one into their
temples, they will not speak of their religion[1]; insomuch, that when I
inquired at them about their ceremonies, they were much offended.

Next day being the Kalends, 1st December, was the passover of the Saracens,
and I changed my lodging to the neighbourhood of another temple of idols;
for the people of this place shew hospitality to all messengers, ever