THE YAK. 345 



They are all small, particularly the cows, which are about 

 the size of the small Brittany breed. Their heads and 

 limbs are stunted, and their bodies proportionally a little 

 longer than the common cow. Their rump is round, and 

 somewhat like that of the horse. Their tail is abun- 

 dantly furnished with long hairs, but not so stiff as those 

 of the horse. The hair of the body is generally straight 

 or slightly curled, with little gloss, and long like that of 

 the goat. The hair is in Thibet made into a thick 

 strong cloth, admirably suited for agricultural labourers. 

 The milk of the yak is excellent, and, according to 

 chemical analysis, is rich in albumen and caseine. 

 Travellers assert that its flesh is very good : of this the 

 Parisian savans were speedily able to speak from expe- 

 rience. One of the young bulls born in France hav- 

 ing become blind, the Council of the Acclimatisation 

 Society resolved that it should be fattened for the 

 table. Cooked in a variety of ways, it was pronounced 

 excellent. Here is the report of M. Quatrefages : 

 " Its flesh is redder than that of the calf ; its fibre is 

 equally fine. It has a peculiar and very good flavour, 

 something betwixt mountain-veal and beef, but some- 

 what sui generis. Its juiciness is perfect. In short, we 

 conclude that beef- steaks and fillets of yak should be 

 superior to like parts of the ox. I do not think that 

 the novelty of this repast has in the least increased 

 our appreciation of it. I am satisfied that the day 

 will come when epicures will thank the society for 

 having acclimatised this new ox, which I shall not the 

 less continue to look upon as the future ox for the 

 poor." 



Useful as an industrial and alimentary animal, the 

 yak is not less so as an auxiliary. In steep places its 

 sure-footedness is greater than that of any other animal. 

 It draws, it carries burdens, and is at the same time 

 advantageously employed as a saddle-beast. It trots 

 rapidly enough, and its step is agreeable. 



In answer to those who doubt the utility of such an 

 animal, M. Quatrefages remarks: " Yes, alongside of 



