KALMUK OFFERINGS 71 



ribbons on almost every pass we crossed. A steep 

 descent awaited us. The heat was intolerable, and 

 the slow pace at which we were obliged to advance 

 was very trying. At 4 p.m. we reached the banks 

 of the river Inia, a small tributary of the Katoun, 

 where we pitched camp after a thirty-verst march. 



KALMUKS BETWEEN ONGUDAI AND KOSH-AGATCH. 



Here we first came across Kalmuk offerings to their 

 gods. Two or three poles were put up in the middle 

 of a field, in a slanting position from the ground ; 

 at the end of these poles hung skins of horses and 

 goats ; the wretched animals had been torn to pieces 

 alive as a peace offering to the spirits. After two 

 trees are hewn down the animal is tied, his fore feet 

 to one and hind lees to the other, and the trees are 



