120 THE TWO-HUMPED CAMEL. 



influence of the sun's warmth, and an occasional 

 Httle flower bursts forth, but nature is in general still 

 inanimate at this season. The appearance of the 

 steppe is but slightly changed from what it was in 

 winter, except that the withered grass is transformed 

 by the spring conflagrations into a sable shroud. 

 Spring in these regions is unaccompanied by any of 

 those delights which herald its approach in more 

 temperate climates. Birds of passage shun these 

 cheerless plains, where they can find neither food, 

 nor drink, nor shelter. If a flock now and then rest 

 in its flight on the shore of some lake, it is only for 

 a while, soon to depart on its way to more favoured 

 haunts in the north. 



I will conclude this chapter with a description of 

 the Camel, the most characteristic and remarkable 

 animal of Mongolia. The constant companion of 

 the nomad, and often the source of his prosperity, 

 it is invaluable to the traveller who crosses the 

 desert. For three years we were never separated 

 from our camels, watching them under all circum- 

 stances ; we had therefore ample opportunity of 

 studying their nature and habits. 



The two-humped or Bactrian camel is charac- 

 teristic of Mongolia, where the one-humped species 

 common in Turkestan is unknown. The general 

 Mongol name for it is Timeh ; the entire camel is 

 called Buriin ; tlie gelding A tan ; and the female 

 Inga. Its good points are — a well-ribbed body, 

 wide feet, and high upright humps ^ far apart. The 



^ A camel's hump is sometimes broken ; in such case it will not 

 stand erect but that docs not matter, provided it be hard and large. 



