THE GAME OF THE PLAINS 591 



less shot one, with the exception of that distinguished 

 Russian explorer, Colonel Kozloff, who mentions having 

 come across saiga in the Gobi east of Barkul. 



We had frequently heard about it both from the 

 nomads and the Chinese. To the former it is known 

 as " burkark " (stooper), and to the latter as " ling 

 yang " (white sheep), names which depict two of its 

 chief characteristics. 



It was not till we reached Guchen, that busy western 

 terminus of the great North Gobi caravan-route, that 

 we first obtained absolute proof of its existence in Eastern 

 Dzungaria. Considerable numbers of its curious amber- 

 coloured horns were hanging up in the Chinese shops 

 there for sale. The Chinese consider them to possess 

 valuable medicinal properties, and give as much as fifteen 

 " sairs " for a pair. Every year consignments are sent 

 to Pekin, where they are made into medicine, though 

 we were unable to ascertain for what ailment it is a 

 remedy. The high price put on the head of a saiga 

 induces a small army of hunters, mostly Chantos, to 

 spend the summer months in their pursuit. 



During our journey eastwards in February we could 

 not devote much time to hunting, our object being to 

 reach Kumul as quickly as possible. We were, however, 

 fortunate in coming across a local hunter, who was to 

 prove invaluable on our return journey in the spring. 



Owing to the impossible nature of the road, caused by 

 the melting snow, we were delayed for two days at the 

 small wayside post of Ta-shih-tu, situated on the main 

 road, where it commences to cross to the south side of 

 the mountains. 



There can surely be no more abominable form of 

 hostelry in the world than the average Chinese caravan- 

 II— 18 



