INTRODUCTION 



of North Shensi, and to Dr. P. H. Atwood, who is 

 the best big game shot in North China, for those 

 of the wild boar and the leopard. 



My best thanks and appreciation are due to Mr. 

 Frederick W. Warrington, who at his own expense 

 accompanied me on the last two expeditions, 

 rendering the ablest assistance. 



ARTHUR DE C. SOWERBY. 



NOTE 



This book was written in 1913, but on account of con- 

 ditions brought about by the European War, which broke 

 out on the eve of publication, it was thought advisable 

 not to issue it till now. 



On the whole conditions in China and Mongolia are 

 much the same to-day as they were in 1913, with the 

 exception, perhaps, that the suzerainty of China over 

 Mongolia has been re-established, while the tlu"eat of 

 annexation by Russia has, for the time at least, been 

 removed. Litermittent fighting still takes place between 

 the Mongols and Chinese, but this partakes more of the 

 nature of raids by lawless bands than direct military 

 conflict between the two countries. 



The railway from Kalgan westward has been completed 

 as far as Fen-cheng (see page 105) on its way to K'uei- 

 hua-ch'eng, thus reducing the journey a day's march. 



The effect of the recent outbreak of pneumonic plague 

 in this region has not yet been made known, but since 

 the whole of the area from Fen-cheng westward was 

 affected, it is certain that the population, already sparse 

 enough, has been further reduced. It has been reported 

 that whole villages have been wiped out by this terrible 

 disease. 



1918. A. DE C. S. 



xi 



