SPORT IN WESTERN CHINA 169 



China, a third species {E. michianus) occurs. This is a much 

 Hghter-coloured animal than either of the above, being deep 

 brown all over except white belly, white tip to ears, and pale 

 line over the eye. 



The ears in all three species are relatively large, broad, and 

 rounded. The lateral hoofs are almost rudimentary in char- 

 acter, and the sabre-like tusks in the upper jaw of the males 

 are not turned outwards as in the Muntjac. They have the 

 same " hunched-up " appearance and gait when running, and 

 do not travel fast. The flesh is very good eating. 



MUSK DEER, CHANG-TSZE 



This pretty little animal {Moschus sifanicus) is still fairly 

 common throughout the length and breadth of the Chino- 

 Thibetan borderland, but is ever5rwhere sorely hunted for its 

 musk. This highly valued product is secreted during the 

 rutting season by a skin-gland situated on the genital organ 

 of the male. The whole gland is removed and constitutes the 

 "Musk-pod" (Chinese, Hsiang-p'i) of commerce. This Musk 

 (She-hsiang) is by far the most important export passing 

 through the border towns of western Szechuan. Hosie [ihid. 

 p. 38) says that some 60,000 pods of musk, worth from 20 to 

 50 rupees each, according to size and quality, are annually 

 sent through the district of Litang to Tachienlu, where they 

 are trimmed and prepared for the Chinese and foreign market. 

 An ordinary pod in a raw state weighs about an ounce, and 

 with its fringe of skin and hair is about an inch across. Adul- 

 teration is commonly practised, but Chinese dealers are experts 

 in detecting this. They have many ingenious tests : If the 

 smell is unsatisfactory, or any doubts exist as to its genuineness, 

 a few grains are extracted from the pod and placed in water. 

 If these remain granular the musk is genuine ; if they melt it 

 is false. Another test is to place a few grains on a live piece 

 of charcoal. If they melt and bubble on the red surface the 

 musk is pure ; if they at once harden and become cinder it 

 is adulterated. The product exported through Tachienlu is 

 esteemed more valuable than that from Sungpan and other 

 border towns. 



