CHAPTER XIX. 



THE THIBETAN GAZELLE. 



Gazella Picticaudata. 

 In Thibet. — God. 



To the east of Ladak, along the frontiers of Chinese Thibet, and in the long tongue- 

 shaped district of that country which lies between the upper waters of the Indus and the 

 Sutlej, are vast expanses of undulating hills and valleys of great elevation, utterly destitute 

 of forest, and with but scanty indications of vegetation of any sort. To the unaccustomed 

 eye, indeed, the greater part of these wild uplands would appear to be a perfect desert, 

 incapable of affording sustenance to the smallest animal ; but as a matter of fact there is 

 hardly a slope however rocky, hardly an expanse of sand however thirsty-looking, on which 

 an occasional tuft of coarse grass or bunch of some sweet-scented herb may not be found. 



Where streams of water exist, either fed by perennial springs, or owing their transit- 

 ory existence to the fast melting beds of the winter's snow which have accumulated in the 

 more sheltered hollows on the higher ridges, their banks will be enamelled with the greenest 

 of turf, studded with flowers of the most brilliant hues. 



Where these streams are of considerable size, the grassy banks spread out until they 

 almost attain the dignity of meadows ; and here may the famous black tents of the pastoral 

 tribes be found pitched, while herds of yak, sheep and goats graze peacefully around. 



Even in the close vicinity of the domestic flocks the subjects of the present notice may 

 be met with, but as a rule they avoid the neighbourhood of man, and must be looked for in 

 more lonely places, where, if they find less food, they are at least more secure from molesta- 

 tion. 



The Thibetan Gazelle or Goa (as I shall in future call it for the sake of brevity) is 

 perhaps the loveliest and most graceful of a family proverbial for beauty and elegance. 



It is about twenty-four inches high at the shoulder, and the color of the winter coat is a 

 light creamy fawn, the hair being soft and of considerable length. On the rump is a snow-white 

 patch or disc, the hair of which is longer than that on the rest of the body, and is partially 

 erectile. The tail is about four inches long, jet black, and tufted at the end. In summer 

 the Goa, like most other animals, becomes much darker upon shedding its coat. 



The horns of the buck are somewhat similar to those of the common Indian Gazelle, 

 but instead of being nearly straight, they are considerably curved backwards, with a tendency 



