1847.] On the tame Sheep, fyc. of Tibet. 1009 



Tibetan family also, and identical, I believe, with the Serica regio* of 

 the classics ; and, last not least, the natal soil of a fine breed of sheep 

 which spreading thence westerly through Kham (following probably 

 and indicating the migrations in one route of the Scythic stock of the 

 human race) is now common in Tibet as far as Lassa and DigarcM, 

 whence the cis-Himalayans have imported a few samples, but rather as 

 curiosities than for ceconomic uses. The Silingia or sheep of Siling is 

 nearly as common as the Hiinia in Kham, but less so in Utsang and 

 nearly or quite unknown in Nari, where the Hiinia most abounds. The 

 Silingia is a delicate breed, both in structure and constitution, compared 

 with the Hiinia, and though it will live and procreate in the Cachar, 

 or northern region of the sub -Himalayas, it is rare there, and unknown 

 south of it. In Nepal I procured my specimens from the Court, which 

 imported them from Lassa : in Sikim from the Barmukh Raja, who 

 procured them from Kham, all parties extolling highly the unrivalled 

 fineness of the fleece, from which the people of Siling and the Chinese 

 located there, manufacture the Tus and Malidah, or the finest woollens 

 known to these regions, save such as are the product of European looms. 

 This wool has been examined by competent authority, and is declared 

 to be of shorter staple than that of the Hiinia, but suitable for combing, 

 and worth in the market about the same price as the Hiinia fleece or 

 eight pence per pound, f Of the merits of the mutton, I cannot speak 

 from experience. But the Tibetans and Sikimites laud the flesh as 

 highly as they do the fleece. The animal which yields both is some- 

 what smaller as well as slighter make than the Hiinia, but bears 

 otherwise much resemblance to it and is possessed, like it, of all the 

 essential characters of the genus, which characters, having been once 

 explained fully, need not be repeated. Length from snout to vent 3£ 

 to 3f feet. Height 2 to 2} feet. Head to occiput (straight) 9| to 10 

 inches. Ears 4 to 4^. Tail only A\ to 5. Tail and wool, 6. Girth 

 behind shoulder 2\ to 2\ feet. Horns by the curve \\ feet. Their 



* I have read with pleasure and profit Mr. Taylor's dissertation on the country of the 

 Seres. But I still retain decidedly my former opinion, that the Serica or Sinica regio is 

 Siling- vel SiningvelSering, inclusive of Kham, a country of great productiveness, greater 

 trade (transit) and ancient and high celebrity, open to China by the Iloangho, to India 

 by (lie Sanpu, and to western Asia and Europe by all the plateau of high Asia. 



t See Journal \- Society loco citato. 



