ll6 



THE YAK 



shan, and kept in large numbers by the Mongols in 

 Northern Khalkas, a hilly, well-watered, and grassy 

 country — indispensable conditions for the well-being 

 of this animal which only thrives at a certain level 

 above the sea. Yaks cannot exist without plenty of 



The Yak (after a Drawing by J. E. Winterbottom, Esq.. lent by Dr. Hooker). 



water ; they are fond of bathing, and are excellent 

 swimmers ; we saw them more than once swim across 

 the rapid Tatung-gol, although carrying packs. The 

 domestic yak is of the same size as our cattle ; the 

 hair is black or black-and-white ; they are very 

 seldom entirely white. Notwithstanding their- long 

 dom.estication, they still retain a good deal of their 

 wild nature ; their movements are quick and agile, 

 and when (;nrag(;d tlicy are very dangerous. •^ 



'- For an account of llic domestic yak, sec 'The Abode of Snow,' by 

 A. Wilson, chap. xiii. Hooker's ' Himahiyan Journals,' i. 212 scqq., 

 and ' Marco Polo,' 2nd ed., i. 268 scqq.—Vi. 



