48 THE OX TRIBE. 



climate all the year, so that after some time tending their 

 flocks, when a sufficient stock is accumulated, it remains 

 only to load their cattle, and drive them to a proper 

 market with their own produce, which constitutes, to the 

 utmost verge of Tartary, a most material article of com- 

 merce." 



The soft fur upon the hump and shoulders is manufac- 

 tured by the natives of Tibet into a fine but strong cloth; 

 and, if submitted to the test of European skill, might no 

 doubt be made to produce a very superior fabric. 



The herdsmen commonly convert the hides into a loose 

 outer garment that covers the whole of their bodies, 

 hanging down to the knees; and it proves a sufficient 

 protection against the lowest temperature of the cold and 

 desolate region which they inhabit. It furnishes at once 

 a cloak by day and a bed by night. 



The Yak is not generally fierce, but, if intruded upon 

 by strangers, it sometimes manifests very formidable 

 symptoms of impatience, stamping its feet, whisking its 

 tail aloft, and tossing its head. When excited, it is not 

 easily appeased, and is exceedingly tenacious of injury, 

 always showing great fierceness whenever any one ap- 

 proaches who has chanced to provoke it. 



The cow is called Dhe, of which the wandering Tartars 

 possess great numbers, having no means of subsistence 

 but those supplied by their flocks and herds. 



A fine male specimen of this Ox was brought to 

 England by Warren Hastings, and several attempts were 

 made to procure a cross between it and the common 

 English Cow, but without success. He invariably refused 

 to associate with ordinary cattle, and exhibited a decided 

 antipathy to them. His portrait was painted, and is now 



