178 THE HORSE AND ITS RELATIVES 



the horse. The ears, although larger than in the 

 horse, lack the excessive length and breadth dis- 

 tinguishing those of the ass. On the other hand, 

 the members of the kiang group display affinity 

 to zebras and asses, not only in the absence 

 of hind-chestnuts, and the large size and smooth 

 surface of the front ones, but likewise in the length 

 of the period of gestation, which is about a twelve- 

 month, whereas the mare only goes with young 

 for eleven months. 



Of all the members of the group the largest, 

 and in some respects the finest, is the kiang 

 [Eqtms kiang) of the elevated plateaux of Ladak 

 and Tibet, where it goes about in small troops, 

 which gallop in circles round the mounted traveller 

 or his camp in such a manner as to completely 

 prevent in many instances the successful pursuit 

 of nobler game, or, I might say, game of any 

 kind, as kiang are scarcely entitled to that designa- 

 tion. Curiosity is a marked trait of the kiang ; 

 so strongly developed in some instances that young 

 individuals, as has happened to myself, will walk 

 almost into the camp. These animals are free 

 movers, going at a fine, springy trot, and the 

 manner in which they traverse the most rocky 

 ground, and this, too, at an elevation of between 

 13,000 and 16,000 feet, is marvellous; their hoofs 

 must be like flint, and their lungs as strong as 

 bellows. 



