V. SALOR.
This is the oldest Turkoman tribe recorded in history. It was already renowned for its bravery at the time of the Arabian occupation. Its numbers were then probably greater, for they have suffered very much from incessant wars. They number only eight thousand tents, although it is not ten years since they were in possession of the important point of Merve. They are now-a-days supplanted by the Tekke in Martschah and its vicinity. They consist of the following Taife and Tire:--
| Taife. | Tire. | |
| 1. | Yalavadj | Yasz, Tiszi, Sakar, Ordukhodja. |
| 2. | Karaman | Alam, Gördjikli, Beybölegi. |
| 3. | Ana bölegi | Yadschi, Bokkara, Bakaschtlöre, Timur. |
VI. SARIK.
These do not stand in less repute for bravery than the tribe of Salor. Their numbers, too, are less than they were formerly. At present the Sariks [Footnote 96] inhabit [{305}] the regions about Pendschdeh, on the bank of the Murgab. With the exception of their neighbours the Djemshidi, they are in hostile relations with all the Turkomans. They are separated into the following Taife and Tire:--
| Taife. | Tire. | |
| 1. | Khorasanli | Bedeng, Khodjali, Kizil, Huszeïnali. |
| 2. | Biradj | Kanlibash, Kultcha, Szudjan. |
| 3. | Sokhti | Tapyr, Mumatag, Kurd, Kadyr. |
| 4. | Alascha | Kodjeck, Bogadja, Huszein Kara, Szaad, Okensziz. |
| 5. | Herzegi | Yerki, Djanibeg, Kurama, Jatan, Japagy. |
The number of their tents, I was told, amounts to ten thousand.
[Footnote 96: The women of this tribe, Sarik, have a peculiar renown as manufacturers of a tissue called Agary. It is formed of the hair of the young camel (three or four days old), which, after being boiled in milk, during four or five days acquires an elasticity and consistence as of a silk pulp; this substance they afterwards draw out and weave into the material so called. It is of particular beauty and strength, and is in high esteem, and of great value as a material for forming the overdress of men. It is to be met with in Persia, and always fetches high prices.]
VII. TEKKE.
These form at this day the greatest and most powerful tribe of the Turkomans. They are separated into two principal encampments--the first at Akhal (to the east of Tedjend), and the second at Merv. According to the best accounts, they have sixty thousand tents. Possessing less land that is capable of being cultivated than the other Turkoman tribes, they are, so to say, almost forced by nature itself to commit acts of robbery, and are a real scourge in the hand of God to the north-easterly portions of Persia, to Herat and its neighbourhood. I have only been able to ascertain the following subdivisions; there are probably many others:--