washed, and the soft hair growing next its skin is used for fine rugs.
The goats of this vast region also receive the same watchful attention
as the camel; the soft, silky fleece is accounted precious, and is used
for the finest Turkoman rugs. The natives use their rugs not only for
the floors of their tents, but as _portieres_, thereby dividing the
tent into sections. This is one of the reasons for the heavy fringe one
so frequently sees on the ends. It permits of hanging, and is very
strong, as is the case with the Turkoman rugs themselves, no matter how
fine the texture.

[Illustration: TEKKE-TURKOMAN OR "BOKHARA" RUG

SIZE, 6 x 3.1

_The field of this rug is of a deep rose hue, with a soft lustrous
sheen. The texture is like velvet, and every stitch shows that the rug
has been woven with the greatest care. The octagons are divided into
four sections by distinct lines. The colors are orange, turquoise blue,
and a deep blue with markings of yellow and ivory. Between the octagons
are eight-pointed stars. The border is minute in detail, and the rug
itself is a genuine treasure._

OWNED BY MR. RALPH OLIVER SMITH, NEW YORK.]

CHARACTERISTICS OF CERTAIN TURKOMAN RUGS

_Beshir_ rugs resemble in certain aspects the rugs of Afghanistan. The
texture is similar, and the same rich blues and reds are seen; a red
webbing at the ends extends at some length, and has dark lines crossing
it. The rug is longer than the Afghanistan. The field differs. There is
an Arabic effect in the design, and yet with a reminder of the Yomud in
the general aspect. But the hook, which plays so important a part in the
Yomud, is missing.

_Bokhara_ rugs which are made in the city and Khanate of that name, are
not the so-called Bokhara rugs of the Western world. The genuine Bokhara
rugs are of good size, with large patterns, and are very strong and
forceful in character. They are sold in the Occident under the name of
Khiva or Afghanistan.

_Genghis_ (often called Guendje) rugs are woven by a tribe of Turkomans
who live the life of nomads. They are named after Genghis Khan, the
great Mogul conqueror who invaded Central Asia in the year 1218. The
rugs are woven of brown wool, or strong goat's hair, and have rather a
long pile. The designs are mostly geometric, although the palm leaf and
vine are often seen.

_Guendje_ (see Genghis) rugs.

_Kashgar_ rugs are made in Eastern Turkestan. They are quite coarse,
with designs of a Chinese charac