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 pve C. SOWERBY. 
NOTE 
This book was written in 1918, 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 threat of 
annexation by Russia has, for the time at least, been 
removed. Intermittent 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 Fén-chéng (see page 105) on its way to K’uei- 
-ua-ch’éng, thus reducing the journey a day’s march. 
The effect of the recent outbreak of pneumonic plague 
*- is region has not yet been made known, but since 
ie whole of the area from Fén-chéng westward was. 
affected, it is certain that the population, already sparse 
snough, has been further reduced. It has been reported 
: * whole villages have been wiped out by this terrible 
disease. 
1918. A. DEC. S. 
xi 
