MEMOIR OP PALLAS. 49 



In the valleys, where the soil is half sand and half 

 clay, it is still frozen, at the close of summer, 

 two feet below the surface. Had it not been for 

 these circumstances, the skin and other soft parts 

 could not have been so long preserved. This crea- 

 ture could not have been transported from the 

 torrid zone to these frozen regions, except at the 

 time of the deluge ; the ancient chronologies being 

 silent concerning any later change, to which might 

 be attributed these remains of the rhinoceros, mam- 

 moth, &c. every where found throughout Siberia." 

 — T. iv. 130. 



It is in this work likewise that we find the first 

 detailed account of the Dziggtar or wild horse of 

 Tartary, which the natives assert is the swiftest of 

 animals, the fleetest of horses not being able to 

 approach it. Its whole natural history is most 

 fully dwelt upon (T. iv. 306), but must here be 

 omitted, as must also many notices we had marked 

 about domestic cattle, sheep, goats, seals, ermines, 

 hares, &c. 



And as with these mammalia, so must it be with 

 birds. His notice concerning the golden eagle 

 (jChryscetos) is very curious, and we think new. 

 " There is," he remarks, " another singular branch 

 of commerce : the Russians sell many golden eagles 

 in barter to the Tartars. These birds are very 

 much in request by the Kirguis, who train them to 

 chase the wolf, the fox, and the gazelle. According 

 to certain markings and movements, these people 

 judge of the bird's excellence and its capability of 



D 



