Zoology of Chinese Tartary. 361 



numerous places and in the generally north course, deep ravines 

 occur, which drain off all the melted snow water. The plain itself 

 was generally clear of snow, with the exception of here and there a 

 few patches — tamarisk and some grapes were almost the only plants 

 to be met with. The animals consisted of the horse, Equus hemionus, 

 it is termed Keang by the Bhoteas, or Ban Ghora : an antilope, An. 

 Hodgsonii : the wild bull or yak, which is said to occur in herds of 

 hundreds. The horse too is common, frequently mares in herds of 

 twenty or thirty being seen, the stallions, however, are always seen 

 singly. The antilope also occurs in vast herds. Two species of sheep, 

 the Burhal, (Ovis nahor) which is common to both sides, being met 

 with in flocks of twenty and thirty from Mulari on the British or 

 northern side of the Himalayas up to the Pass, and on the Thibet 

 side it is equally common. The Nuging, a large and heavier animal, 

 its horns alone weigh upwards of a maund. This species is only met 

 with on the Thibet side. It is nearly allied to Ovis montana of 

 the rocky mountains of North America, and the Argali (Ovis ammon) 

 of Siberia. In fact, from what I remember of specimens sent to 

 the Edinburgh museum from Hudson's Bay, I consider the Indian 

 species identical. I have, however, sent a specimen to Edinburgh 

 for comparison. 



A species of hare (Lepus) . It is larger than the Alpine Jiare of 

 England, and is therefore probably the largest species known. It is 

 confined to the Thibet plains and hills. 



Marmot, it is termed Phia by the Tartars, occurs in vast num- 

 bers on the banks of small streams. It is of reddish-yellow colour, 

 and as large as a rabbit: when alarmed it rushes to its hole and 

 squats itself on its hind legs, and ready at a moment to dip into its 

 retreat. We sent a ball through many, but owing to the above cir- 

 cumstance did not procure them. In fact the only way to be sure of 

 getting a specimen is by sending a ball through the head. My friend 

 Ramsay procured me two in this manner. There is another species 

 met with in the same localities, about the size of a rat, and of a 

 greyish colour. Both of these animals are new to science — and the 

 former, though noticed by some travellers, has not been described. A 

 species of wolf, termed by the Bhoteas, Chankoea. It is much larger 

 than that met with in the plains of Hindoostan, and is nearly allied to 



