CHAKHAR MONGOLS AND THEIR COUNTRY. 33 



only the worst features of their character, and are 

 degenerate mongrels, without either the honesty of 

 the Mongol or the industry of the Chinaman. The 

 dress of the Chakhars is the same as that worn by 

 the Chinese, whom they resemble in features, having 

 generally a drawn or angular, rather than a flat or 

 round face. This change of type is produced by 

 frequent intermarriages between the Chakhar men 

 and Chinese women ; the offspring of this union of 

 race is called Erlidzi. Other Mongols, particularly 

 the Khalkas, detest them as much as they do the 

 Chinese, and our drivers always kept watch at 

 night while travelling through this country, because 

 they said that all its inhabitants луеге the greatest 

 thieves. 



The Chakhar country is badly Avatered, but a 

 few lakes may now and again be seen, the largest of 

 which is Lake Anguli-nor. It is only when you get 

 near the border of the plateau, and after you have 

 passed some small streams, that the first signs of 

 cultivation and settled life appear. The Chinese 

 villages and cultivated fields plainly tell the traveller 

 that he has at last left the wild desert behind him, 

 and has entered a country more congenial to man. 



At length, far away on the horizon, can be dis- 

 cerned the dim outlines of that range which forms 

 so distinct a definition between the high chilly pla- 

 teau of Mongolia and the warm plains of China 

 Proper. This range is thoroughly Alpine. Steep 

 li ill-sides, deep valleys, lofty precipices, sharp peaks 

 often crowned with overhanging rocks and an ap- 



VOL. J, D 



