MARAL HORNS 55 



spent three weeks in search of it. Littledale saw- 

 only one fine stag during the whole time he was 

 in the country, and I only came across two hinds 

 and a couple of young stags. 



In China they crush the horns into powder, which 

 is used as a medicine, mostly for women's diseases, 

 and I have been told that in rich Chinese families 

 there is scarcely any dowry that does not contain 

 "maral-horn powder." On our return journey we 

 met several caravans of this precious substance, and 

 our host himself had often been to Kobdo and 

 Uliassoutai with many pony loads of horns, the 

 latter towns being well - known markets for them. 

 A Maral park is a most profitable enterprise, en- 

 tailing very little expense. A tract of ground bought 

 or rented from the village at a low price, and the 

 cost of a wooden fence, represent all the capital one 

 has to put into the business. 



We spent the night at Shebalina, and started at 

 6 a.m. next morning for Ongudai. We were glad 

 to hear from the merchant that the road was good, 

 a statement which proved to be correct, and that the 

 ninety remaining" versts would bring us early that 

 same evening to Ongudai. 



Shortly after leaving the village we came to a very 

 steep ascent, but luckily it proved to be as short 



