THE MAKKHOOE. 863 



The markhoor, a maguiticeiit species of 

 wild goat, which inhabits the high lidge of 

 hills, that separates Cashmere from the 

 plains of the Punjab, and is found on the 

 mountains still further west, and throughout 

 the Hazareh country, formed the chief object 

 of this expedition. But day after day, the 

 mist came on so thick that it was impossible 

 to see many yards, and we were not very 

 successful. I lost a splendid markhoor on 

 one occasion, in a provoking manner : the 

 animal was within thirty yards, and so 

 placed above me, that although one of my 

 men saw him, and pointed out the direction 

 I was to take, the mist rolled up step by 

 step as I ascended, keeping me enveloj)ed 

 in a cloud, when all was clear beyond ; and 

 although I could hear him kicking the 

 stones down close to me, I never caught a 

 glimpse of him, and the chance was lost. 



In summer, markhoor are found on the 

 rocks and green slopes above the forest, and 

 during the wanter, they descend to the bare 

 hills and rocky spots in the wooded regions. 



