SHEEP AND GOATS 235 



the horns, which curve outwards and downwards, so 

 that in facing you the whole of the horn is seen, 

 whereas with the oorial the curve is more backward 

 and downward The next variety of this sheep is 

 found in the Gilgit district of the Himalayas ; oorin 

 is the local name. The male carries no neck mane, 

 and the horns slope upward and backward in fact, 

 are straighter and look longer. 



IN QUEST OF Ovis POLI 



Roughly speaking, the 35 N. latitude divides the 

 region frequented by Ovis poll and O. hodgsoni. 

 Here is a broad belt running across Asia where 

 neither the one nor the other are to be found. I 

 have never heard of the latter north of the Yarkand- 

 Kilian road, or of the former south of the Taghdum- 

 bash Pamir. Ibex and burhel are to be found in 

 fair numbers, but none of the big sheep. In 1889, 

 having with some trouble procured a passport from 

 Pekin to enable me to travel in Chinese Turkestan, I 

 set out with my friend Bower on June 22. After the 

 usual delays and difficulties which invariably occur in 

 travelling in an unknown region where high passes 

 and big rivers (without boats or bridges) have to be 

 crossed the best way you can, we had to ferry across 

 some big rivers on what are called in that country 

 " zacks," i.e. rafts made of light framework of willow 

 and tent poles floated on about a dozen inflated goat 

 skins, which are easily packed and carried along for 

 the purpose. Since then I conceived a much better 



VOL. II R 



