Зб TEA-CARA VANS. 



four chests of tea (a little under 4 cwts.) on their 

 backs across the desert. This is the usual load of a 

 Mongol camel, but the stronger ones bear an addi- 

 tional fifth chest. The Mongols contract to carry 

 tea either direct to Kiakhta or only to Urga, beyond 

 which place the mountains and frequent deep snows 

 are formidable obstacles to the progress of camels. 

 The tea is only transported in this manner as far as 

 Urga ; it is conveyed the rest of the way in two- 

 wheeled bullock-carts. 



The average cost of the transport of one chest 

 from Kalgan to Kiakhta is equivalent to three lans 

 (or taels) ; each camel can therefore earti twelve lans 

 (or about 3/. los.). The caravan generally accom- 

 plishes two journeys from Kalgan to Kiakhta during 

 the winter, the owner earning about 7/. by each of 

 his animals. Two drivers are usually placed in 

 charge of twenty-five camels and their loads ; the 

 cost of transport is therefore very small, and the 

 contractor realises a large profit, after deducting for 

 losses by the death of camels from fatigue and 

 starvation. The caravan camels are often rendered 

 unfit for service by sore feet, lameness, or galled 

 backs, occasioned by careless loading. If the lame- 

 ness be caused by worn-out hoofs, the Mongols bind 

 the animal, throw him on the ground, and sew a 

 piece of leather over the injured hoof, which answers 

 the purpose of a sole, and generally effects a cure ; a 

 sore-backed camel is unfit for further use that season, 

 and is let loose on the steppe to recover. Taking 

 into account the percentage of lost and damaged 



