196 STERILITY OF THE VALLEY. 



which grow the low stunted Nitraria Schoberi, 

 Zygophyllum sp., and another shrub of the legu- 

 minous order with a leathery leaf which is not de- 

 ciduous. 



These hillocks are formed by the wind which 

 raises the sand and dust. Both one and the other 

 are caught by the low brushwood, and as they gra- 

 dually collect they form small mounds which are 

 bound together by the roots of the bushes ; the rains 

 wash the sides down, giving them the appearance 

 of having been dug with a spade. 



Instead of the sands of Kuzupchi, undulating 

 hills now border the valley, gradually becoming 

 higher and higher till at length they culminate in a 

 lofty rocky ridge opposite the town of Ding-hu, 

 whence they run parallel with the course of the River 

 for some distance to the south. These hills, as 

 far as we could see, bear the same desolate aspect 

 as the valley. In all probability the interior of 

 the whole of Ordos is of the same character, and 

 fully bears out its name of Boro-toJioi, i.e. grey (not 

 green) plain. 



The absolute height of the valley of the Hoang- 

 ho in that part which we visited changes very little. 

 By boiling water on Lake Tsaideming-nor we obtained 

 3,200 feet; 18 miles west of Ding-hu,^ 3>500 feet; 

 and nearly half way between these points, at the foot 

 of the hills bordering the left bank of the river, 

 again 3,500 feet. 



Animal life is not very abundant in the valley of 



' Thib place properly belongs to the plain of Ala-shan. 



