xxvi INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



This marshy hollow is said by the Chinese to stretch W, 

 and N. to Lake Lob. Here a sore temptation presented 

 itself to Prejevalsky, as at once traveller, zoologist, and 

 sportsman, to diverge to the westward for a new species of 

 game, — the Wild Camel. 



This is a somewhat interesting subject ; for disbelief in 

 the existence of the Wild Camel has been strongly expressed, 

 — and indeed not long since by one of the greatest of 

 scholars as well as geographical authorities on Central Asia. 

 It is worth while, therefore, to observe that its existence by 

 no means rests on the rumour heard by Prejevalsky. There 

 is much other evidence ; none of it, perhaps, very strong 

 taken alone, but altogether forming a body of testimony 

 which I have long regarded, even without recent additions, 

 as irresistible. 



The following are the testimonies of which I have re- 

 tained memoranda, but I believe there are several others in 

 existence : — 



L Shah Rukh's ambassadors to China (A.D. 1420) mid- 

 way in the Great Desert between Kamul and Shachau, or 

 thereabouts, fell in with a wild camel.* — П. The Persian 

 geography called Haft Iklini ('The Seven Climates'), 

 probably quoting from Haidar Razi, says of the Desert 

 of Lob : ' This Desert contains wild camels, which are 

 hunted.' ^ — in. In Duhalde we find the following from 

 Chinese sources : ' Both wild and tame camels are found 

 in the countries bordering on the north of China ... at 

 present wild camels are only to be met with in the countries 

 north-west of China.' ^ — IV. In the Journal of the * As. Soc. 

 of Bengal,' ix. 623, I see that Sir Proby Cautley quotes 

 Pallas as arguing, on Tartar evidence, that the wild camel 

 is found in Central Asia. Cuvier ascribes this to the 

 Buddhist custom of giving liberty to domestic animals. 

 This may have been the origin of the breed, as of the wild 

 horses of S. America and Queensland. But we see above 



' See Cathay and the Way Thither, i. cc. 

 "^ Notices ct Extraits, Sec, xiv. pt. i. 474. 

 ' English folio cd. ii. 225. 



