158 



TIBET. 



Chap. XXIII. 



{Lepus oiostolus), with marmots and tail-less rats. The 

 abundance of animal life was wonderful, compared with the 

 want of it on the south side of Donkia pass, not five 

 iniles distant in a straight line ! it is partly due to the 



antelope's head.* 



profusion of carbonate of soda, of which all ruminants are 

 fond, and partly to the dryness of the climate, which is 

 favourable to all burrowing quadrupeds. A flock of 

 common English teal were swimming in the lake, the 

 temperature of which was 55°. 



The accompanying figures of the heads of the Chiru (Antilope Hodgsoni}, 

 were sketched by Lieut. Maxwell (of the Bengal Artillery), from a pair brought to 

 Dorjiling; it is the so-called unicorn of Tibet, and of MM. Hue and Gabet's 

 narrative, — a name which the profile no doubt suggested. 



