212 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



Lama was dissipated. Almost immediately a " Wardenship of 

 the Thibetan Marches " was established, and a war of conquest 

 engaged upon against certain wealthy lamaseries in Litang 

 and other states, who owned direct allegiance to Lhassa, and 

 heretofore had boasted their independence of China. This 

 war was relentlessly and victoriously pursued under the 

 leadership of Chao Erh-feng, and resulted in the extension of 

 Chinese authority over a very considerable tract of country. 

 Indirectly the King of Chiala's position has been very much 

 weakened as the outcome of these conquests. 



The state of Chiala is made up of mountain, dale, and 

 plateau, being essentially a highland country affording good 

 pasturage for yak, sheep, and horses. A chain of snowclad 

 peaks traverses it near its eastern boundaries. It is a region 

 where altitude regulates the mode of life, the wealth, and 

 marriage customs of its people. The inhabitants are less 

 nomadic than the people to the north and west, but, in common 

 with all other Thibetans, their wealth is represented by herds 

 of yak, horses, and cattle, and flocks of sheep and goats. They 

 are great hunters of Musk-deer, Wapiti, Bear, and other animals, 

 the commercial products of which they trade to the Chinese. 

 The same is true of the medicinal roots and herbs, which 

 grow abundantly in these uplands. Where altitudes admit, 

 agriculture is practised, but is supplementary to grazing 

 and relatively unimportant. Wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat, 

 peas, and Irish potato are the chief crops. During the winter 

 months these Thibetans live in well-built houses situated 

 in the valleys, and in the spring they migrate to the uplands. 

 The nomads do not move about aimlessly, but have clearly 

 defined regions and are subject to responsible head-men. 

 Where agriculture is carried on the womenfolk mostly remain 

 to look after the crops and to do other work pertaining to the 

 farmstead. 



Wealth and convenience decide which form the matri- 

 monial alliance shall assume among these people, and polyg- 

 amy, monogamy, and polyandry obtain. Above 12,000 feet 

 altitude polyandry is the rule, and in many places women 

 so united wear distinguishing and honorary badges. Such 

 women are usually the business and ruling heads of their 



