The fourth of seven notebooks kept by William Bateson during his trip to the Aral Sea and the surrounding area. The entries are part field notes and part travel diary. They include descriptions of the Aral Sea, Shū River, and nearby lakes, and of shells, plants and wildlife observed or collected, e.g. description of Lake Tele Kula Tata (pp. [6r ff]) and a list of ‘fish taken in our lagoon’ (pp. [55v ff]).

There are also accounts of his travels and experiences with the Kirghiz people, including a translation of a song sung in his praise at a local village (page [11v]); descriptions of a tomb (page [27r]) and of catching and eating a wild pig (pp. [62r-62v]); shortages of food and water; and mention of various health issues, from frozen ears to painful boils (pp. [7r & 9v]). The entry for 22 April marks the anniversary of the date Bateson left England [page [30r]).

A number of sketches are included, e.g. a scorpion (pp. [25v-26r]); crustacean and Leptodora (pp. [40v-41r]); Oligochaete (page [45r]); ‘portrait of Pharaoh’ (page [45v]); and various creatures (pp. [61r], [67r-68v]). There are also many entries in the Kirghiz language, e.g. on pp. [1r], [3v-4r], [12v-15r], [24v-26v], etc.