66 On the Tdkin of the Eastern Himalaya. [Jan. 



system its place would probably be assigned between those two types. 

 But before making further allusion to its affinities, I shall give a careful 

 description of its appearance and structure, premising the account of 

 them by a statement of what is known of its habitat and manners. 



The Takin tenants the Easternmost part of the Himalaya, or that 

 which is adjacent to Yunan, Sechuen and Kham. In the Himalaya 

 it is stated to belong more especially to the Upper or Alpine region, but 

 to be found also in the central region, though never in the lower re- 

 gion ;* and it probably extends its range from the Himalaya proper, to 

 the proximate mountains of China and Tibet. The Takin derives its 

 high interest for the naturalist, not merely from its compound 

 structure, made up, as it were, of the Ox, the Antelope, the 

 Sheep and Goat, but also from its habitat, so remote and dissimilar from 

 those of its allies. The Takin is described as being an animal of high 

 courage and great ferocity ; so that it cannot be taken alive, and is kill- 

 ed by the natives with much trouble and some risk. It is said to be 

 very gregarious, though old males are sometimes found solitary ; but, 

 for the most part, the species herd together in considerable numbers. 

 Strength and ferocity are inscribed in very legible characters on the 

 form and aspect of the Takin, which is a much larger as well as bulkier 

 animal than the lusty Caprine Antelope (Thar) of the Himalaya. The 

 Takin however reminds one in several respects of the Thar,f which it 

 much resembles in colour as well as by its short Caprine tail, harsh ad- 

 pressed hair, and vigorous make, suited to climbing these stupendous 

 mountains. But the Thar is in structure as much more Antelopine as 

 the Takin is more Bovine. The latter is not much, if at all, inferior in 

 size or bulk to the female Yak ; and, as seen from the front especially, 

 with its lunate horns displayed and its short tail concealed, it would be 

 at once pronounced to belong to the Ox kind, close examination alone 

 being likely to suggest any doubts on that head. The Takin, as I have 

 said, is nearly as large, both in dimensions of extent and in bulk, as a 

 female Yak ; and its massive form and peculiar proportions are quite 

 Bovine. It is in length, from snout to vent, six and a half feet ; and in 



* See J. A. S. No. 206. Phys. Geog. of Himalaya. 



f Schinz in his Genera Mammalium has actually ranged this animal with the 

 Gnoos. This is a mistake, but one indicative of remote affinity. The Thar is a 

 typical Nemorhedus. — See J. A. S. No. 181, for July 1847. 



