214 WANDEBINGS OF A 



perhaps more cause to consider it the progenitor of the domestic 

 animal than even the ibex. 



The markhore is usually found in small herds. Like the 

 ibex, it delights to browse on steep and rocky mountains, 

 ascending and descending with^the seasons. In winter, in 

 common with other alpine species, the fur becomes dense from 

 the woolly pileage, which gives a lighter colour to the coat 

 than during midsummer and autumn, when it disappears, and 

 the fur is short and brown. As before stated, the old males 

 have an enormous beard extending from the chin down the 

 lower part of the neck to the chest. That of the females is 

 short, and her horns are flat, and seldom more than 10 inches 

 in length. The tare has much of the habits and appearance of 

 the markhore, and is frequently seen associated with herds of 

 the latter. Shickarees have strange stories of the serpent- 

 eating disposition of the markhore, but apparently without 

 any real cause. I recollect my friend Ajez Khan assuring 

 me that an ammonite he picked up on the mountains had be- 

 come petrified from having passed through the intestines of a 

 markhore ! 



Herds of tare {Gapra jemlaica,' Smith) were often ob- 

 served during my excursion, usually young. The short 

 triangular horns of this species of goat distinguish the males 

 from any of its allies. The tare is plentiful on the mountains 

 by the banks of the Chenaub, in the district of Chamba ; it 

 is also found in Lahoul and Kooloo, where it is likewise 

 known by the name of kras. The natives of the southern 

 Cashmere ranges call it jugla. I was told that during severe 

 winters both markhore and tare may be found in the same 

 forests. The former has been killed on the mountains near 

 Uri Fort, on the Jhelum. 



A fine rhododendron, with pale pink flowers, grows on the 



