i86 SNOW-STORM ON NORTHERN TIBET. 



that their beasts were dying by the score every day» 

 they were compelled to abandon first their merchan- 

 dise, and such things as were not absolutely indis- 

 pensable, then part of their supplies, until they were 

 actually reduced to trudge on foot and to carry their 

 own food on their backs. Of the entire force of 

 camels only three were kept alive by feeding them 

 on barley. The argols were buried so deep be- 

 neath the snow that it was almost impossible to find 

 them, and the travellers had to cut their clothes to 

 pieces and burn them for fuel to keep themselves 

 warm. Every day one of their number fell down 

 dead, and the sick were left to their fate. 



But notwithstanding their sterility and the un- 

 favourable conditions of climate, the deserts of 

 Northern Tibet abound with animal life. Had we 

 not seen with our own eyes it would have been 

 impossible to believe that in these regions, left so 

 destitute by nature, such immense herds of wild 

 animals should be able to exist, and find sufficient 

 nourishment to support life by roaming from place 

 to place. But though food is scarce, they have 

 no fear of encountering their worst enemy, man ; 

 and far removed from his bloodthirsty pursuit, they 

 live in peace and liberty.^ 



The characteristic animals belonging to the 

 order of Mammalia, which are most numerous in 

 the Tibetan deserts, are the wild yak {Po'cphagus 

 grtmniens), the white-breasted argali [Ovis PoliV), 



' The rarefied atmosphere apparently has no effect on the Tibetan 

 animals born and bred in it. 



