324 APPENDIX C 



observed dark, shapeless masses ranged across it, and when they 

 came to cross, they found these fantastic islets were nothing 

 more nor less than fifty wild cattle or Yak, which were absolutely 

 embedded in the ice. They had no doubt endeavored to swim 

 across the river, but it froze too quickly for them to do so, and 

 consequently they became hemmed in and were unable to extri- 

 cate themselves. Their fine heads, surmounted with their great 

 horns, were still above the surface, but the eagles and crows had 

 pecked out their eyes. The ice was so transparent that the por- 

 tions of their bodies which were enclosed therein were quite dis- 

 cernible, and the form and attitude of the unlucky beasts gave 

 them the appearance of still swimming." (p. 417, Wild Animals 

 Described.) 



From all authorities we learn that the flesh of the Yak is 

 merely beef, differing, if at all, from the common cattle in being 

 finer grained. The veal in particular is described as excellent. 



Different opinions are expressed about the milk. The Duch- 

 ess of Bedford characterised what she got in India as " thin blue 

 stuff," but Fortune Nott says : " Besides being good eating the 

 Yak yields the best of milk, for it is as rich as cream, and the 

 butter made from it is superior to all others." Possibly individual 

 differences may account for these two discrepant accounts. Or 

 it may be that the Duchess received her supply from the regular 

 milkman. 



Sir J. D. Hooker is responsible for the statement that when the 

 calf is reduced to veal, the foot is always saved for the mother, as 

 she will not yield her milk unless she have at least the foot (failing 

 the entire stuffed skin of her young one) to lick and fondle. 



The Yak is generally used as a beast of burden, and for the 

 saddle, in Thibet. As a pack animal it carries about the same 

 load as a horse of its weight. It is not liable to chafe, as its wool 

 protects it. It is slow, going only twenty miles a day, but is more 

 sure-footed than either horse or mule ; indeed, in this respect it is 

 comparable to the goat or the mountain sheep. As a saddle 

 beast it presents few advantages, for besides being slow it has 

 usually to be led. 



