SPORT IN THE HIGHLANDS 551 



the one well-defined ridge in this area of mountains. 

 Both the north and the south slopes are exceedingly- 

 steep, especially the former, where precipitous cliffs drop 

 into extensive forests. The grazing is of the best, and 

 large numbers of yurts scattered over the lower slopes 

 account, in no small degree, for the scarcity of game. 

 I shall not weary the reader with an account of the 

 strenuous days spent in searching for those scarce and 

 elusive sheep ; only one small band of ewes and three 

 yearling rams were sighted. A few ibex live a nervous 

 existence among the crags, and wapiti, roe, and bear 

 are said to frequent the forests. In spite of the absence 

 of sport, however, we spent an enjoyable time camping 

 in those emerald valleys of knee-high grass, or scrambling 

 among the higher slopes, carpeted with that short, 

 tufty variety of grass so beloved by mountain game. 

 On the boggy patches below the snow-drifts yellow and 

 purple pansies, gentians, poppies, and other flowers 

 grew in profusion. Marmots and numerous varieties of 

 smaller rodents were almost everywhere in great numbers, 

 enabling Carruthers to add considerably to his collection. 

 Before moving into the Borotala we spent two days 

 in hunting on the Western Maih plateau, almost over- 

 looking the Dzungarian Gate. This plateau is formed of 

 innumerable small hills and hollows, the latter being of 

 a very uniform height, — something like a sheet of corru- 

 gated iron, except that, instead of being parallel, they 

 were jumbled up in hopeless confusion. There were no 

 commanding positions for spying ; so all we could do 

 was to ride along on the chance of coming upon game. 

 One morning, while turning a corner in this tantalizing 

 country, I came face to face with the only " respectable " 

 ram we saw the whole time, but he was out of sight 



