SINO MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



to that already traversed. B}^ noon we reached 

 the T'ai Hai (Great Sea), a large lake, which lies in 

 the hollow of a great basin-like plain. To the 

 north lies a chain of high and pointed mountains 

 of granite. Eastward the plain is bounded by- 

 low hills of volcanic origin. The same may be 

 said of the southern rim, while the western bound- 

 ary is formed by a low spur from the high moun- 

 tains to the north. There is no outlet. The 

 lake is said to be very deep, especially on the 

 eastern side. The water is very brackish. We 

 were told that there were no fish in it, though 

 there seems to be some doubt upon this point. 

 In length the lake is about fifteen miles, and 

 seven or eight in breadth. Its greatest length is 

 from east to west. From the inn, where we had 

 lunch, we could see, with the aid of field-glasses, 

 that the edge of the lake was swarming with wild 

 fowl. Notwithstanding this fact, we found time 

 to demolish the bustard, which the cook had 

 prepared for us the night before. It was a ten- 

 pound bird, so the healthy state of our appetites 

 may be guessed. 



After lunch, having given directions to the 

 carters where to halt for the night, we hurried 

 down to the lake, expecting to enjoy some good 

 shooting. We were disappointed, however, for at 

 our approach the birds, amongst which were several 

 large swans, rose thundering from the margin, and, 

 skimming over the surface of the lake, settled safely 



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